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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

LONDON (Reuters) - Mobile phone users might be able to make telephone calls on UK-registered aircraft from 2008 under new proposals published by telecoms and media regulator Ofcom on Thursday.
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Ofcom suggested that aircraft could provide an on-board base station as part of its proposals, developed jointly with other European Union countries, aimed at encouraging companies to develop innovative technologies to use radio spectrum.

To ensure that mobile phones did not interfere with other terrestrial mobile networks, they would still have to be switched off during take-off and landing.

But Ofcom said once the aircraft had reached a minimum height of 3,000 metres, handsets could use the aircraft's network to make and receive calls, which would be routed via a satellite link to the network on the ground. Calls would be billed through passengers' normal service providers.

Ofcom, which is calling for industry comments by November 30, suggested amending the aircraft operators' existing Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 licences to enable a service that already operates in countries such as Australia.

Some airlines already offer in-flight outbound telephone services via their own network. However, Ofcom's proposals will enable passengers to use their own handsets.

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gfloyd · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

I'M ON THE PLANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please God no. Crying or Very sad

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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

I'm not cheering that either. Rolling Eyes

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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

That's exactly what I was thinking, surely a plane is the only place you can escape from these poxy things nowadays Crying or Very sad

firewirefred · Guest

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Aaarrgghhh!!!! Evil or Very Mad

Can't people go anywhere without using their bloody mobile ?

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

Its bad enough now when the moment the plane lands all the phones get switched on and start beeping in unison.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

The problem with this is that unlike trains, there could not be a quiet carriage where like minded people can escape from mobiles; unless of course it's a jumbo or the like. The thing that really worries me is that even people with a high intellect don't seem to be able to grasp either the danger of mobile phones when used in areas such as petrol filling stations, in and around aircraft or the bad etiquette of using them in restaurants, cinemas, theatres and at live music gigs.

BB Twisted Evil

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seymourwhitebits · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Birmingham

i know my driving days were happier before the mobile. my day was planned at the start and i went out and did my drops. now i'm going back over old ground all day cos they can send me back to where ive just come from. yes a marvelous bloody invention Exclamation

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