When taking airliners, the first thing we do after entering the aircraft, or even before, is put our smartphone in “airplane mode”. In the coming years – at least in Europe – in-flight phone calls may be allowed, as the European Commission recently stated.
The executive body and promoter of the legislative process has in fact given a first go-ahead to the airlines for provide 5G connectivity to passengers on boardeven for high-speed phone calls and data.
“5G will enable innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European companies“, says Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market. “The sky will no longer be the limit when it comes to the possibilities offered by super-fast and high-capacity connectivity.“
A virtuous move, especially compared to the United States which has fear that 5G may interfere with aircraft equipmenteffectively limiting the technology near airports. “In Europe, however, there is much less chance of interference because we have a different set of frequencies for 5G and there are lower power settings than are allowed in the US.“
Currently regulators will open up this possibility, but steps will be taken to ensure that whatever they do is safe. To the member states it was granted until June 30, 2023 to provide 5G technology on aircraft. This means passengers will be able to make phone calls, access apps (despite already being able to use Netflix) and stream music and video on flights next year!
Are you happy? Will your flying experience change a lot? Let us know what you think below in the comments!
