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The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has
today confirmed that it will allow mobile phones to be used on planes
registered in the UK, subject to additional safety approval from the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA). Ofcom said that the decision has been made
jointly with other European countries and will ultimately allow mobiles to
be used throughout EU airspace.
Ofcom said: “The safety of passengers is paramount and mobile systems on
aircraft will only be installed when they have secured approval by EASA and
the CAA in the UK. If such approval has been secured it will be a matter for
individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these
services.”
In its report Mobile
communications on board aircraft (MCA) [PDF], Ofcom also addressed
the question of disruption to other passengers. It said: “Ofcom also
understands the concerns expressed about peace and quiet on aircraft and the
potential for mobile phone users to annoy other passengers. However, we note
that in similar cases which can lead to annoying behaviour, for example
serving alcohol on board aircraft, it is a matter for aircraft operators to
decide how to balance the services they offer to their passengers with the
impact that they have.
The airline industry is a competitive market and consumers generally have a
choice between carriers: the provision of MCA services, and approaches to
mitigating any annoyance, like quiet zones or quiet periods, could become
part of the marketing differentiation between airlines. Further, Ofcom
considers that UK consumers could be disadvantaged if MCA services were not
permitted.”
The report also expressed Ofcom’s view that the tariffs involved in making
calls within the EU from on board an aircraft would not be subject to the
roaming price cap introduced by the European Commission last year.
Responding to Ofcom’s announcement, David Tansley, telecoms partner at
Deloitte, said: “Today’s announcement by Ofcom that passengers of
UK-registered aircraft will soon be able to use their mobile phones sees one
of the last refuges from the office disappear.
However, social norms, as well as excessive background noise, may dissuade
most people from making phone calls in crowded planes. However, messaging
services – from SMS to email – are likely to become increasingly popular as
a means of staying in touch with the outside world. For many, the almost
universal ability to be in contact – even at 35,000 feet – will represent an
uncomfortable intrusion, and they may increasingly reach for the off switch.”
I love the idea!!!!!
As a business executive, I can make my 12 hrs of nothingness, become productive! HOWEVER, I do feel that many will use this time for wasteful talk. I think it will be better if there is only a section in the plane that is just used for phone calls where it will not bug others!
G. T. Akiyama, Los Angeles, United States
I couldn't be more opposed to the idea of the use of mobile phones being permitted on aircraft, it was the one place on earth left where one was not subjected to the full pitch (why do people shout into their mobiles?) conversations, inane or otherwise, of ones fellow passengers, I always choose the quiet cabin on a train, not going to be possible on the plane is it? and as a frequent traveller in business class, not on business, I imagine it will be even worse in that particular cabin.
Please don't do it.
Kelvin martin, Staines, Middlesex
I agree with Dennis Marshall
John McDonald, Armadale, West Lothian
Hell on earth has no bounds!Travel by plane is already very awful, being so close to strangers with nasty habits for a long time, and now they think having boring and business people (what's the difference!) noisily going on and on with mobile phones is a good idea. Where are the sane majority to stop this?
d mancey, oxford,
On public transport, supermarkets, sports events, walking, and even at mealtimes we are bombarded with inane talk from these poor pathetic people with their boring lives and high levels of insecurity. Now the threat is that we are going to have to listen to the same stupidity at 27,000 feet. Surely when you depart for a holiday it is to escape the day to day routines. One can only imagine the hell of having to sit next to some idiot with the irritating call tones talking gibberish for hours on end. Just imagine having a group of youngsters behind you not only constantly kicking the back of your seat, but now shouting to someone a thousand miles away.This will inevitably lead to cabin rage creating a sour atmosphere for the whole journey. To allow it is a big mistake .I travel at least ten times a year and will certainly only fly with carriers that have the courage to ban the use of these intrusions into our lives.
Michael Driscoll, Broadstairs, Kent.
Michael Driscoll, Braodstairs, Kent
With regard to the suggestion from David Thompson for a telephone box, I suggest two telephone boxes -- outside on each wing.
Dennis Marshall, Collingham, Wetherby, West Yorkshire
This idea is absolute madness. It would be intolerable to have to sit next to someone on a plane for several hours who was continually making phone calls. I also believe it could lead to many more case of air-rage.
L Faulkner, Leicestershire,
An airline which capitulates to any and every self important blowhard's necessity to have a captive onboard audience will never get my business.
Jonathan Miles, Sonoma, CA, USA
We already suffer from inconsiderate mobile phone users on public transport who tend to speak much louder than when in a faceto face conversation. It would be 10 times worse on a plane and I suspect more frequent as people would like to show-off that they can phone from a plane.
Why not create a specific "user zone" on the aircraft - like a telephone box?
David Thompson, Haslemere, UK
No! No! No! Is there no haven left from having to listen to the 'no relevance to anyone else' conversations of others. I look forward to the peace and quiet whilst flying. There's a strong possibility I might find myself guilty of air rage when mobile phones are allowed to be used. My mobile phone goes everywhere with me but I try not to use it where it will cause annoyance to others but I do realise that most people don't really seem to care about that these days. I certainly will not be using mine on aircraft unless, of course, in the case of a real emergency.
B Bell, Wirral Merseyside,
In regard to the message posted above by Steve Parker from Leeds, it should be noted, that while travelling on an aircraft, we are bombarded by radiation already, however not from phones but outer space. It could also be argued that this radiation is much more of a problem than that of our mobile phones! Whether or not being able to use a phone while on the aircraft is a good idea, I am inclined to agree, because to be honest, there is usually so much noise in the aircraft already, that you can't even hear yourself think, so the person next to you will not make things much worse!!
Steven Hedges, London,
Will there be radiation free zones within each plane? Having a base station onboard will mean that all passengers will be exposed to the electromagnetic force at all times. At least on the ground they only get bombarded when someone nearby is actually using their mobile. Handset and car manufacturers warn against using a phone inside a vehicle - what about the metal fuselage of a plane?
Steve Parker, Leeds, Yorkshire