EU OKs mobile phones on planes

EU OKs mobile phones on planes

The European Union has given the go ahead for airplane passengers to use their cell phones in the skies over Europe starting later this year. This green light for mobile phones gives air travelers greater connectivity than ever before. People will now be able to keep in touch with those on the ground while 10,000 metres in the air. Business travelers in particular will benefit from staying in contact with clients, colleagues and managers. Europe becomes the first region in the world to lift the ban on using phones on planes. EU officials stressed the use of mobiles on planes will not in any way affect safety. The phone service will be disabled during takeoff and landing and the captain will have the power to turn the system off at any time. This falls in line with the current rules on using laptop computers or music players on flights. Not everyone is happy at the prospect of an airplane full of mobile phone chatter. The friendly skies might now be a place where tempers become thin if passengers do not respect others. The EU has urged airlines to put in place flight etiquette rules to make sure passengers who want peace and quiet are not disturbed. This could include having to put phones on silent, encouraging text messaging instead of voice calls or banning calls on night flights. The EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding said: "I call on airlines to create the right conditions on board aircraft to ensure that those who want to use in-flight communication services do not disturb other passengers." She also warned airlines against charging high prices for mid-air calls. "If consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take off, she said.