Mobile phones will soon be heard on commercial
aircraft, subject to regulatory approval. The UK's communications
regulator, Ofcom, published a proposal today that would license the
right for passengers to make calls above an altitude of 3,000
metres.
However, Ofcom points out that its remit is limited to the
regulation of spectrum and electronic communications services.
Safety must be assured before phones are allowed to ring in the air
– and safety is the responsibility of other regulators. These are
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and, in the UK, the
Civil Aviation Authority.
Ofcom's main issue in spectrum management is that Mobile
Communications on Aircraft (MCA) systems "should not generate any
harmful interference to terrestrial networks." It notes a European
standard that should reduce the risk. That standard states that the
absolute minimum height above ground for any transmission from the
system in operation shall be 3,000 metres.
Aircrafts will need to be fitted with onboard networks for
passengers' phones to operate and Ofcom believes the necessary
equipment should be licensed rather than licence-exempt, "given the
uncertainty surrounding the performance of these systems in
operation and the substantial risks to terrestrial networks if they
were the victims of interference."
Ofcom said it does not currently envisage any additional fees
being charged for the use of the spectrum as a result of it being
licensed. It adds that a move to a deregulated environment could be
taken in the future if the risk of interference is proved
negligible.
Onboard networks will be allocated mobile country codes and
mobile network codes, one for each service provider, to give
connectivity to passengers.
Ofcom acknowledged consumer concerns "about the potential for
discomfort and agitation among passengers as a result of others
using mobile phones". But this is the responsibility of the Civil
Aviation Authority, it said.
