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The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has today confirmed that it will allow mobile phones to be used on planes registered in the UK, subject to additional safety approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Ofcom said that the decision has been made jointly with other European countries and will ultimately allow mobiles to be used throughout EU airspace.

Ofcom said: “The safety of passengers is paramount and mobile systems on aircraft will only be installed when they have secured approval by EASA and the CAA in the UK. If such approval has been secured it will be a matter for individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these services.”

In its report Mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA) [PDF], Ofcom also addressed the question of disruption to other passengers. It said: “Ofcom also understands the concerns expressed about peace and quiet on aircraft and the potential for mobile phone users to annoy other passengers. However, we note that in similar cases which can lead to annoying behaviour, for example serving alcohol on board aircraft, it is a matter for aircraft operators to decide how to balance the services they offer to their passengers with the impact that they have.

The airline industry is a competitive market and consumers generally have a choice between carriers: the provision of MCA services, and approaches to mitigating any annoyance, like quiet zones or quiet periods, could become part of the marketing differentiation between airlines. Further, Ofcom considers that UK consumers could be disadvantaged if MCA services were not permitted.”

The report also expressed Ofcom’s view that the tariffs involved in making calls within the EU from on board an aircraft would not be subject to the roaming price cap introduced by the European Commission last year.

Responding to Ofcom’s announcement, David Tansley, telecoms partner at Deloitte, said: “Today’s announcement by Ofcom that passengers of UK-registered aircraft will soon be able to use their mobile phones sees one of the last refuges from the office disappear.

However, social norms, as well as excessive background noise, may dissuade most people from making phone calls in crowded planes. However, messaging services – from SMS to email – are likely to become increasingly popular as a means of staying in touch with the outside world. For many, the almost universal ability to be in contact – even at 35,000 feet – will represent an uncomfortable intrusion, and they may increasingly reach for the off switch.”