28 March 2008
The watchdog Ofcom has given the all-clear for British aviation firms to install technology on planes that will enable mobile telephone use.
As part of the plans, consumers should be allowed to operate their handsets when aircraft are above 10,000 feet.
Such capabilities will be possible via picocells that can be installed on planes - but customers will probably be charged a fee to make calls.
Telecoms Partner at Deloitte David Tansley stated that it is unclear at present who will see the biggest benefits from the move.
She told the Guardian: "The likely charges and distribution of revenues across the various involved parties are unclear ... the losers will be passengers who find themselves seated next to a cost-no-object mobile user."
Approval to the proposals still has to be given by a number of bodies including the European Aviation Safety Agency in the future.
Earlier this week, Emirates Airlines said that new technology has been placed on its fleet to allow travellers to make mobile calls.