News: EU gives green light to mobile phones on flights

Flights > News > # 1742 (08/04/2008)

The European Union (EU) has given the green light for airlines to be able to launch onboard mobile phone services later this year.
Viviane Reding, the EU's telecommunications commissioner, warned phone operators not to set rates for the service too high and urged airlines to protect passengers from excessive phone use.
She said: “In-flight mobile phone services can be a very interesting new service especially for those business travelers who need to be ready to communicate wherever they are. However, if consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take off.”
The European Commission, the EU's executive body, said it will keep a close eye to ensure pricing is transparent.
Several airlines, including Air France, have already launched a trial of in-flight mobile phone services on some European routes. No-frills airline Ryanair, BMI and Portugal's TAP are also planning to offer services later this year.
The regulation sets a common standard by which passengers can safely use their mobile phones during flights and airlines will only need to get one license to launch their services across the entire 27-nation bloc.
Phone services will not be permitted during take off and landing or during turbulence, and flights crews will be able to control when they want to switch off the onboard network.