In the not-too-distant future, passengers on planes registered in the UK may have to put up with one more hassle: listening to others in the cabin chat on their cellphones. That’s because Ofcom, the UK telecommunications and media regulator, is considering lifting restrictions on in-flight phone services.

 

The proposed regulatory change, Reuters said in a Thursday report, would allow airlines to build an on-board base station into planes, opening up radio spectrum to passengers for use with their own mobile phones. Passenger still would not be allowed to chat during take-off and landing, but once the plane reached cruising height calls could be made using a satellite link to a network on the ground.

Since passengers would be using their own handsets, they would be billed for the service on their regular monthly invoice, Reuters said.

 

According to the Reuters report, Ofcom is asking for industry comments until November 30. The suggested changes involve altering existing Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 licenses.

 

Over the past few years, various companies have proposed different types of in-flight broadband Internet access services, but none have taken off so far. One of the most recently proposed plans was from Alaska Airlines, which is in talks with Row 44 to roll out a wireless broadband service on its planes next year.

 

Such proposals usually haven’t touched on voice as a service at all, probably because a cramped plane filled with people all talking on the phone easily could frazzle passengers’ nerves and make flying unpleasant for many customers.