Airline passengers in the European Union will soon be able to use their mobile phones while flying, provided the airlines offer a 5G network.
The European Commission has ruled that airlines can offer 5G technology on planes, with slower mobile data.
This could mean that passengers on planes will no longer have to put their phones in Airplane mode – although the specifics of how this will be implemented are unclear.
The deadline for member states to make 5G frequency bands available to aircraft is 30 June 2023.
This means people can use all of their phone’s functions during the flight – enabling calls as well as data-heavy apps that stream music and video.
Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, said the plan would “enable innovative services for people” and help European companies grow.
“The sky is no longer the limit when it comes to the possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity,” said Breton.
