The European Commission has decided to permit telephone calls aboard airplanes during flights in the European Union, with passengers being able to use their portable electronic devices to the maximum of their capacities and features — similar to that of a 5G mobile network based on the ground.
Telephone Calls To Be Permitted During Flights Within Europe
“The service is provided within the cabin of an equipped aircraft using special network equipment, the so-called ‘pico-cell’, to connect the users and route calls, texts, and data, typically via a satellite network, between the airplane and the ground-based mobile network”, according to this announcement which was posted at the official Internet web site of the European Commission. “The Commission also amended an implementing decision on 5GHz frequency bands, which makes the bands available for Wi-Fi in road transport, for example in cars and buses. The amending decision lays the foundation for innovations in the automotive industry and potentially for Metaverse applications. According to the amendment of the implementing decision, the Member States shall make the 5GHz frequency bands available for use aboard road vehicles as early as possible and at the latest by 30 June 2023.”
The implementing decision of the European Commission has reserved certain frequencies for mobile communications aboard airplanes since 2008, which allowed airlines to provide text messaging, telephone calls, and data services to passengers flying in the European Union — and this update paves the way for the wide-spread deployment of 5G services aboard airplanes.
“5G provides virtually universal, ultra-high bandwidth, and low latency ‘connectivity’ not only to individual users but also to connected objects”, according to additional information about 5G in the European Union, which is provided at the official Internet web site of the European Commission. “The deployment of 5G networks depends closely upon access to radio spectrum, the basis of wireless technologies. As the rate of connected devices and their use increases, spectrum resources and their uses have to be harmonised across Europe to allow for interoperability of infrastructure across borders. This is the basis for a broad range of services delivered with 5G for consumers, such as new smartphone apps, and professional services for various industrial sectors.”
Although no date has been specified for when mobile telephone calls will be permitted aboard airplanes during all aspects of a flight, it could happen as soon as possible.
Final Boarding Call
What are your thoughts? Do you have any hang-ups about receiving this latest information with the wish that they would put this implementation on hold; or are you receptive about the conversations flow aboard the airplane all throughout the flight? Please cast your vote in this poll:
Loading ...I am personally still opposed to the implementation of mobile telephone calls aboard airplanes — but not as opposed as I would be about passengers using the speakerphone function, as hearing one side of a conversation is more than enough for me. I do not need to hear both sides of a conversation — or, even worse, all sides of a conference call.
In the meantime, other articles at The Gate which pertain to telephone calls aboard airplanes include:
- Guest Article: Why Telephone Calls Should Be Permitted Aboard Airplanes During Flights
- Forget Mobile Telephone Calls Aboard Airplanes For the Foreseeable Future, According to the Federal Communications Commission of the United States
- Stupid Tip of the Day: Do Not Talk on the Telephone After Airplane Doors Closed — Otherwise…
- Should an Emergency Telephone Call Delay a Flight?
- Poll: Are You In Favor or Against Telephone Calls During Flights?
- Telephone Calls: Should They Be Allowed During Flight?
- Telephone Calls: Should They Be Allowed During Flight? It Could Happen Soon…
- Use a Mobile Telephone and Risk Losing Elite Status?
- Airline Passenger Arrested For Refusing to Turn Off Mobile Telephone
Photograph ©2021 by Brian Cohen.
