Phone news Mobile phone calls head to the skies Mobile phone calls head to the skies |
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| Written by Matt Chapman | |
| Wednesday, 26 March 2008 | |
 Just when you thought it was safe to take to the air, Ofcom has given the go ahead to allow mobile phone services on aeroplanes. The UK communications watchdog has allocated radio frequencies and now awaits the approval of the relevant authorities - the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK.
Ofcom said the decision had been developed jointly with other EU countries and will enable use in European airspace. It follows an Ofcom consultation on the proposals published in October 2007. “The safety of passengers is paramount and mobile systems on aircraft will only be installed when they have secured approval by EASA and the CAA in the UK,” an Ofcom high-flyer said. “If such approval has been secured it will be a matter for individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these services.” Mobile phone handsets will connect to an on-board base station when the aircraft reaches a minimum height of 3,000 metres. This must be switched off during take-off and landing to ensure it does not interfere with mobile networks on the ground. Handsets will use the aircraft’s network service to make and receive calls, which will be routed via a satellite link to the network on the ground. Calls will be billed through passengers’ normal service providers. Mobile phones will connect to the system for 2G (GSM) data, voice and text services. However, Ofcom said if the service is successful it could be extended to 3G and other services in future. |
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