Ofcom clears way for use of mobiles on planes

Via News in Brief - The Guardain

Mobile phone calls and texts could finally be permitted on planes, according to proposals by Ofcom yesterday. The telecoms regulator ruled that individual airlines should be allowed to decide whether their passengers can use mobiles in-flight. The proposals were developed jointly with other EU countries, and cover all European airspace. The phones would operate via an on-board "base station" which connects to passengers' handsets. The system would be switched off during takeoff and landing to prevent interference with other terrestrial mobile networks. Calls could be allowed in-flight as early as next year.