Moblie calls could be allowed on flights

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced plans to allow mobile phone calls and texts on planes.

According to the proposals, individual airlines should be allowed to decide whether their passengers are able to use mobiles in-flight.

Mobile phones could be used on planes flying at a minimum height of 3,000 metres via an on-board "base station" connected to passengers' handsets.

The system would be switched off during take-off and landing allowing cabin crew to switch the system on once planes hit 3,000 metres.

Passengers could then make and receive calls using the aircraft's network service, which would be routed via a satellite link to phone networks on the ground.

Calls would still be billed via passengers' mobile phone networks.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "For a number of years some airlines have offered customers in-flight outbound telephone services via the airline's own network.

"Today's proposals will allow airlines to enable passengers to use their own mobile handsets."

Ofcom's proposed changes follow a similar move in Australia.

The proposals could be implemented as early as next year, subject to approval by the aviation authorities.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are responsible for making sure aircraft safety and passenger welfare issues are resolved before giving the systems the green light.

A CAA spokesman said Ofcom looked after the regulation of frequencies while the CAA looked at aircraft safety.

"The technology to enable the use of mobile phones on board is awaiting regulatory approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency on a European-wide basis and, in the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority for use on board UK-registered aircraft," he said.

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