EU to allow in-flight 5G cell service

Brussels, Nov 28 (Prensa Latina) The European Union says it will allow airline passengers to use their 5G cellphones in flight, but it hasn’t set a timeline for the rollout. The EU has assigned frequencies it says won’t interfere with communications and avionics for cellphones meaning passengers will be free to use their phones as usual on most flights.

November 28, 2022
16:16

To date, all airlines have urged passengers to activate airplane mode during takeoff and landing, a safety measure to avoid interference with any other electrical or telecom systems on board.

It was now announced that all passengers passengers can use their mobile devices in the same ways as any ground-based mobile network while in flight. Goodbye airplane mode; we can’t say it’s been fun.

Passengers will thus be able to access connectivity to the maximum of its capacity and features, just as with a 5G mobile network on the ground, they explained on their website.

5G technology “will enable innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European businesses,” said Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.

“The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity,” Breton added.

According to the information, in order to offer connectivity support, airlines will have to install a network station in their fleet, which will enable tasks such as sending calls, messages or data traffic via a satellite network to a terrestrial mobile network.

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