Top Mobile 4 U

Is it good news? I’m not sure, but cell phones will be allowed for using on planes. Henceforth Euro airspace has been cleared for flight.

The EC’s information, society and media commissioner, Viviane Reding, clarified this in a statement this week, noting: “Pan-European telecom services, such as in-flight mobile telephony, need a regulatory ‘one-stop shop’ to operate throughout Europe.”

What with Ryan Air, Air France and other airline operators planning to roll-out in-flight mobile phone services in the very near future, it comes as no surprise to hear that the EC is already warning mobile operators about excessive charges for in-air phone use.

Viviane Reding also warned mobile operators in a recent statement that: “We expect operators to be transparent and innovative in their price offerings. 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, wherever they go. However, if consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take off.”

As for me I can understand all those who will benefit from cell phone access in the air, but it doesn’t seem worth the grating one-way chatter the rest of us will have to endure.