UK regulator tentatively approves in-flight mobile use

The communications regulator for the United Kingdom, Ofcom, says that before mobile phones work at 30,000 feet there are a few hurdles yet to be jumped. Systems proposed to handle in-flight mobile device use still must be approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority, and even if approved, it will be the airlines who decide when, how and if they choose to use the technology.

The new wave of systems are designed to make the pre-flight announcement of ‘please turn off your mobile devices as they may interfere with the plane’s navigational equipment’ a thing of the past. One question no one is offering any answers for yet is what calls from the cabin will actually cost. The common supposition is that the user will be billed through their regular operator with the customary out of service area roaming charge. Just how much roaming at 30,000 feet will cost is another story.

www.ofcom.org.uk