On-plane mobile use could arrive as early as next year

The last bastion of mobile phone-free travel is under threat. Telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced it is looking at allowing people use their phones on aircraft.

While launching a public consultation on the matter, Ofcom said it wanted to let companies develop technologies that would allow passengers to use their mobile phones while flying on aircraft.

Ofcom’s proposed system would include on-board base stations connecting passengers’ handsets to GSM networks, via satellite links. These would be switched off during take-off and landing, but turned on by the cabin crew at a minimum height of 3000m.

Ofcom will allow this by amending the existing Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 licences owned by aircraft operators. Until now, aircraft carriers can offer outbound telephone calls from the airline’s own (usually prohibitively expensive) network.

The earliest the services could be available on UK registered airlines would be next year, subject to approval by the aviation authorities.

If you’d like to take part in Ofcom’s public consultation, click here to find out how you can submit your views before the consultation closes on November 30th.

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