Ofcom gives ok to mobile phone use in flight

Within a few months, airline passengers may be able to use their mobile phones during commercial flights, following a new ruling by Ofcom, the communications watchdog agency.

An agreement has been confirmed for licensing the equipment necessary to enable mobile phone use onboard aircraft, and permits for the use of the equipment will be issued to the operator of UK aircraft on request.

This agreement represents the latest development in mobile travel that has to date seen platforms and facilities launched that includes Just the Flight Mobile.

Ofcom has already warned air travellers that they should be aware that “unexpectedly high bills” for in-flight mobile use are likely.

In a prepared statement the watchdog group noted: “Ofcom will be talking to all concerned parties to understand what steps can be taken to ensure consumers understand the costs of making calls from on board an aircraft. Ofcom will monitor this situation closely.”

Up until now, the use of mobile phones during flights has been banned, as signals can interfere with the aircraft’s navigation equipment. The recent introduction of smaller onboard telephone masts seems to have remedied the problem.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority and EU regulators will still need to approve the use of the system onboard aircraft.

www.ofcom.org.uk