In-Flight Cell Use Cleared For Takeoff in EU

Airlines will choose whether to offer service, which might be pricey
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 7, 2008 1:15 PM CDT
In-Flight Cell Use Cleared For Takeoff in EU
Once European airlines like Air France start offering cell-phone service during flights, babies may no longer provide the most annoying ambient noise.   (Flickr)

Good news for the EU-based air travelers who suffer BlackBerry withdrawal as soon as their plane takes off: Mobile-phone use in European airspace could be available as early as next month. The European Commission has cleared the technology needed to make calls from 10,000 feet up, and has left many of the details up to airlines and phone companies, BBC reports.

The EU telecoms commissioner urged airlines to "create the right conditions on board aircraft" to keep gabbing passengers from disturbing those around them, and warns service operators not to send call prices soaring. Air France is one of the carriers already set to offer in-flight cell service, which would only work while a plane remains in EU airspace. (More cell phones stories.)

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