International   

EU nod for in-flight use of mobiles

BRUSSELS: The European Union on Monday opened the way for air travellers to use mobile phones on planes throughout Europe’s airspace. With the approval by EU regulators, airlines will be able to launch onboard mobile services later this year, officials said.

Viviane Reding, the EU’s telecommunications commissioner, warned phone operators not to set very high rates for the service and urged airlines to protect passengers from excessive phone use. “In-flight mobile phone services can be a very interesting new service especially for those business travellers who need to be ready to communicate wherever they are,” Ms. Reding said. The European Commission said it would keep a close eye to ensure pricing is transparent.

Several airlines, including Air France, have already launched a trial of in-flight mobile phone services. Lufthansa, however, said on Monday it did not want to introduce the service.

The regulation sets a common standard by which passengers can safely use their mobile phones during flights and airlines will only need to get one national license to launch their services. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Protests mar torch relay
EU: negotiated settlement alone can bring peace
Poll campaign ends in Nepal
All eyes on Musharraf’s China visit
EU nod for in-flight use of mobiles
China confirms bird flu outbreak
Pavarotti mimed at final performance
Smoking tourism: newest travel trend
India Tourism Office opens in China

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu