Data on a plane gets the greenlight -- European Commission likes the idea of in-flight Facebooking

Following the lead of US airlines, the European Commission gives the go-ahead for the use of 3G and 4G services during flights.  The Commission is permitting the use of UMTS and LTE data connections on aircraft above altitudes of 3,000 meters in the European Union (EU). Up until now, only 2G (GSM) usage has been allowed and the decision paves the way for passengers to make use of high speed data connections, although the decision about whether to permit this on individual flights lies with airlines.

The Commission's announcement makes it clear that the decision does not translate into an automatic right for passengers to use data connections, at least partly because aircraft need to be adapted.

This EU decision creates the possibility for airlines -- rather than a right for passengers -- to allow use of smart phones and tablets during flights. But, in order for this service to work, airlines must install specific hardware on board each concerned airplane.

As the decision has only just been announced, no airlines have yet expressed that they will permit in-flight data usage. As this is something that passengers have been pushing for for many years, it would seem likely that most, if not all, will install the necessary hardware.

There will obviously be some cost involved in upgrading aircraft, and there is the possibility that this cost will be passed on to travellers -- perhaps in the form of paid-for internet access. Anyone using their smartphone during a flight can also expect to pay the usual roaming charge to their network provider.

Are you happy about the decision? Is in-flight data something you'll make use of?

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