Air passengers set for mobile use

Air passengers could soon be allowed to use their mobile phones during flights, after Ofcom approved their use on aircraft registered in the UK.

Providing use is also approved by the Civil Aviation Authority and the European Aviation Safety Agency, airlines will be able to decide on whether to utilise the technology.

The communications regulator said that mobile phones will need to be off during take-off and landing but can be used via an onboard base-station over 3,000 feet.

An Ofcom statement said that it had considered the concerns raised by some that allowing mobile phone use on aircraft might disrupt other passengers and lead to anti-social behaviour.

It will be for the CAA and the Department for Transport to address such concerns as they are "safety, welfare and security issues relevant to them", it added.

Ofcom also said that it would be considering the impact of in-flight mobile phone use on tariffs and phone bills and that ways of making clear the costs to consumers would be discussed.