The European Commission opens the door for European airlines to start offering onboard 5G connectivity. announced by the organization, by allocating specific spectrum to onboard 5G and “previous mobile technology generations”. Passengers connect to the picocell base station onboard and connect to the terrestrial network via satellite. Calls, texts and data will all be supported.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton said: “5G will provide innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European companies.” The sky is no longer the limit.” The commission’s announcement did not provide details on exactly when 5G services will be available.

“The sky is no longer the limit”

Passengers have historically been told to put their devices in “airplane mode” on board flights, but the rules have loosened in recent years. In 2014, European Union Aviation Safety Agency updates guidance Airlines are not required to require passengers to use this mode for safety reasons.Airplane mode usually restricts cellular connectivity, but often allows other wireless technologies Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc..

The International Air Transport Association predicts that 5G on board will not pose a safety issue as it will use frequencies different from those used for cockpit communications. count TelegraphPhones use the 5 GHz spectrum and above, while the plane itself uses the 4.2-4.4 GHz range for connectivity.

In the US, the relationship between 5G and the air travel industry is more complex. Airlines Expressing Concerns Earlier This Year He noted that the rollout of new 5G spectrum near airports risks disrupting sensitive onboard equipment. The Spectral rollout is now happen by the middle of next yearThis allows airlines to equip their aircraft with equipment that is not affected by the frequencies they use. bloomberg Note The FCC has abandoned plans to allow in-flight cellular connectivity in 2020 due to objections over “safety and national security reasons.”