Low budget airline Ryanair is the first to offer in-flight mobile phone services in the UK. The new move could see a massive change for phone lovers who hate to miss a text and business users needing to stay on the ball who've previously been unable to utilise mobile phones in-flight due to the possibility of interference with the plane's radar technology.
So far, customers of O2 and Vodafone are free to use their mobiles on board. Ryanair is currently negotiating with other network operators such as Orange, T-Mobile and 3, who may soon be joining the ranks of their competitors. According to the BBC, there are several significant restrictions in place that will disallow usual mobile use for more than a designated amount of people at any one time.
On each flight, a maximum of six people will be able to make calls at the same time. What's more, calls and texts will cost more than normal rates, with phone calls costing between £1.50 and £3 per minute, texts around 40 pence and emails between £1 and £2.
The broadcaster reports that the Air Transport Users Council's industry affairs manager, James Fremantle, said: "In general, on short-haul flights, it's a good thing. "Business people want to be in touch with their affairs, while other passengers can get hold of people on the ground if their flight is delayed or diverted."
Although BMI previously used an email and text only trial for in-flight mobile phone use, Ryanair's offering is the first widespread service that will run on many flights and be regularly available to passengers.
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