EU approves in-flight mobile phone use across Europe

BRUSSELS, APR. 7 (Xinhua/GNA) -- The European Commission introduced rules on Monday to allow mobile phone use in flights across Europe.

According to the new rules, which took effect on Monday, business people and consumers can receive and make calls and messages safely with their own mobile phones while flying all over Europe.

The European Union (EU)'s executive arm said the new rules mean that the 90 percent of European air passengers that already carry mobile phones on-board aircraft can remain contactable during flights.

Mobile phone use is currently strictly prohibited on planes globally. It is a routine of safety check that all passengers are told to turn off completely their mobile phones and other electronic devices.

"Pan-European telecom services, such as in-flight mobile telephony, need a regulatory 'one-stop shop' to operate throughout Europe and this is why the Commission has acted today," EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said.