Mobiles on aircraft

[TheFaQQer]

The use of mobiles on planes flying in European airspace has been given approval by UK regulator Ofcom.

Linky.

What an awful idea - it's bad enough on a train, but the thought of getting stuck on a plane for a few hours with some annoying prat rabbitting "Hi, yah, I'm on the plane..." at high volume...

[snaw]

I'm pretty sure this isn't coming about because of consumer demand - no one I know pretty much wants this, so where the f cuk is the driver for it coming from .. I wonder?

[moorfield]

I'm seriously considering getting hold of one of those (highly illegal) jammer thingies to try out on the train. Wouldn't dare use it on a plane at 35000ft though!

[miffy]

I agree, it's not good news that. "Hi, it's me... had a slight delay at the airport, blah, blah"

Also gotta love the morons who board the "mobile free" coaches on trains and still continue to use their mobile until someone points out the signs to them.

Just wait till they wire up the tubes as well

[DimPrawn]

The demand is coming from the fact that making/receiving a call in a plane is going to cost 10x normal tariff.

So the demand is from the airlines and telecoms companies.

[Lockhouse]

No one in their right mind would want this. It's definitely an earner - leave your phone on and receive texts which cost you £2.00 each - like getting a text abroad, the receiver pays. Airlines like Ryanair must be rubbing their hands.

[snaw]

The demand is coming from the fact that making/receiving a call in a plane is going to cost 10x normal tariff.

So the demand is from the airlines and telecoms companies.

Sarcasm is clearly your strong suit DP ;-)

[Ardesco]

Or maybe the government just wants an easy way to track everybody.....

[miffy]

Or maybe the government just wants an easy way to track everybody.....

Possibly. But then again, we all need protecting from ourselves don't we.

[Spacecadet]

No one in their right mind would want this. It's definitely an earner - leave your phone on and receive texts which cost you £2.00 each - like getting a text abroad, the receiver pays. Airlines like Ryanair must be rubbing their hands.

from what i understand, phones will have to be switched off when the seatbelt signs are on, so leaving your phone switched on by accident will truely be your own fault.

And when do you pay to receive a text abroad? you have no control over receiving or not receiving texts (except for switching your phone off) and so the phone companies can't charge you...
... or at least i have never been charged to receive a text abroad (vodaphone and O2), only to send them.