In-Flight 5G Calls to Become Reality; EU Shares Plans to Enhance Airline Experience

In-flight 5G calls may soon be possible, as confirmed by the European Union.

Officials announced that they would soon allow the widespread deployment of 5G services on airplanes.

Once this happens, passengers can be assured that they will be able to make calls or send text messages anywhere and anytime.

As of writing, airplanes still have some limitations when it comes to connectivity.

But, once the EU's latest 5G connectivity plan rolls out, this will change.

In-Flight 5G Calls to Become Reality

According to Bloomberg's latest report, the European Union announced on Thursday, Nov. 24, that it wants to let passengers make calls in-flight.

Officials said that they want consumers to be able to send text messages and use data during their flights just like how they would when on the ground.

EU said that the deployment of 5G services on airplanes can be done using the so-called pico-cell, a special network tool that connects the in-flight network to the ground via satellites.

"5G will enable innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European companies," said EC Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton.

This is not the first time allowing in-flight calls and data services have been planned.

In 2020, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission also said it wanted to do the same thing by deploying mobile wireless frequencies on aircraft.

However, it faced various criticisms from flight attendants, pilots, and other airline employees.

Why In-Flight Calls are Not Allowed

MakeUseOf provided various reasons why in-flight calls are not really allowed in some airplanes. These include the following:

• Cell towers are not enough to accommodate in-flight calls.
• In-flight calls can risk passengers' safety.
• Calls, especially loud conversations, can affect the experience of other passengers.
• Airline companies claim the use of cell phones can affect airplanes' monitors and screens.

In other news, Airtel's 5G service previously arrived in India.

Recently, Malaysia's 5G services finally rolled out.

For more news updates about 5G connectivity and other related internet stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by Griffin Davis