thommo
29th March, 2008, 12:29 AM
Airlines Set To Ring Changes On Mobiles
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1648882.jpg
Passengers on UK aircraft could soon be able to use their own mobiles in European airspace.
Scheme will only run in Europe
Some airlines already offer passengers in-flight telephone services via their own network.
But under new plans passengers' mobiles will be connected to an on-board base station.
The system will only be switched on once the aircraft reaches a height of 9,840ft.
It will not be in use during take-off or landing.
Mobile users will be able to make and receive calls which will be routed via a satellite link to a network on the ground.
Calls will be billed through passengers' normal service providers.
The proposals need the backing of the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority before they can be implemented.
They have been developed jointly with other EU countries following a lengthy consultation exercise.
Communications watchdog Ofcom said: "The safety of passengers is paramount.
"It will be a matter for individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these services."
David Tansley of consultancy Deloitte said that the move may not lead to many people making calls from planes, though they would be likely to use email and SMS messages.
He added: "Ofcom's announcement may be something of a red herring - getting approval form European aviation authorities for using mobiles in flight may be far more onerous than getting approvals from the communication regulators.
"It is also unclear what level of call quality will be delivered and what the practicable services issues will be, for example frequent call drop outs. However the convenience on offer for business travellers may offset any quality issues."
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1648882.jpg
Passengers on UK aircraft could soon be able to use their own mobiles in European airspace.
Scheme will only run in Europe
Some airlines already offer passengers in-flight telephone services via their own network.
But under new plans passengers' mobiles will be connected to an on-board base station.
The system will only be switched on once the aircraft reaches a height of 9,840ft.
It will not be in use during take-off or landing.
Mobile users will be able to make and receive calls which will be routed via a satellite link to a network on the ground.
Calls will be billed through passengers' normal service providers.
The proposals need the backing of the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK's Civil Aviation Authority before they can be implemented.
They have been developed jointly with other EU countries following a lengthy consultation exercise.
Communications watchdog Ofcom said: "The safety of passengers is paramount.
"It will be a matter for individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these services."
David Tansley of consultancy Deloitte said that the move may not lead to many people making calls from planes, though they would be likely to use email and SMS messages.
He added: "Ofcom's announcement may be something of a red herring - getting approval form European aviation authorities for using mobiles in flight may be far more onerous than getting approvals from the communication regulators.
"It is also unclear what level of call quality will be delivered and what the practicable services issues will be, for example frequent call drop outs. However the convenience on offer for business travellers may offset any quality issues."