UK planning to allow calls on aircraft

Posted March 31, 2008 at 09:16 PM by Kian Henry

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, Transportation

Ofcom, the UK Office of Communications has confirmed plans that they aim to allow cellular communications on board UK aircraft. The plans will have to first go through the Civil Aviation Authority, and then the scheme may ‘take off’ in planes around Europe. Unfortunately, plans haven’t been confirmed for those of you the other side of the Atlantic.

The calling will work by using an onboard base station, a unit which connects to a satellite and will be turned on above 3,000 feet, as to avoid interference with ground networks. The service will be charged at the users standard network rate, which should mean business and personal users can enjoy increased productivity on flights. For the others that want some peace and quiet: unlucky.

Read [Ofcom]