Europe to Allow Mobile Phone Use on Aircraft
The European Commission yesterday introduced rules to harmonize the technical and licensing requirements for mobile communication services on aircraft. Passengers’ phones will communicate through an onboard cellular network connected to the ground via satellite.
The system will at the same time prevent phones from connecting directly to mobile networks on the ground below. This will ensure that transmission powers are kept low enough for mobile phones to be used without affecting the safety of aircraft equipment or the normal operation of terrestrial mobile networks, according to the EC.
Harmonizing the technical requirements for the safe deployment of in-flight mobile communication services will enable the national licenses granted to individual airlines by the Member State in which they are registered to be recognized throughout the EU.
For example, an aircraft registered in France or Spain will be able to offer mobile communication services on aircrafts to passengers when flying over Germany or Hungary without any additional licensing procedures.
Following testing of in-flight mobile communication services in some countries (notably in France and Australia), a number of telecoms operators and airlines are planning to launch these services in the course of 2008.
Although Commissioner Ms. Reding is forcing telecoms companies to slash the fees customers pay for cross-border phone use, the regulations for roaming price cuts would not apply to in-flight calls. However, she would “closely monitor” prices levied for the new service.
The UK’s NRA Ofcom announced on 26 March that it will allow airlines to offer mobile communications on board aircraft in line with the common European approach.
The European Commission drafted a Q&A on lifting the ban on in-flight mobile phone use.
Source: EC
