Ofcome gives mobile phones in aircrafts the OK

It’s the same deal nearly everywhere you go ; there’s always someone loud “chatting” away to one of their mates on their mobile phone.

We know mobile phones are supposed to be mobile but we’re of the opinion that some people are just a little too fond of their phones. We’re talking about the people who don’t switch their phone off when they go see a movie or if they’re in the library.

If you’re in any one of these places and someone decides to plan their entire holiday over the phone you’re not exactly trapped. You can always ask them to take it outside, or if you’re a push over, you can leave yourself.

We quite liked the idea of not being allowed to use mobiles on planes. Imagine the nightmare that would be listening to someone detail their entire trip to their best mate on the other end of the phone while you’re stuck on a 9 hour flight from the US. You’re completely trapped. No way to get away from the mouth passenger on the mobile. Sounds fun, right ?

UK regulator, Ofcom have only gone and approved the use of mobile phones on planes flying in European airspace once you reach altitudes of 3000 ft or more.

The plan is to install small mobile phone base stations, called pico cells, in planes that would be switched on after take-off, the BBC reports.

The base station generates a field of coverage in and around the aircraft.

Calls made via the pico cell will be routed to terrestrial networks via satellite link.

Now that Ofcom have given the idea the all clear it’s up to each individual airline to decide if they want to provide the service or not and The European Aviation Safety Authority to approve any equipment involved in the venture.

Read the full story on the BBC Online.