European Union's big 5G rollout announcement in flights: ‘Sky no longer a limit’

European Union: The passengers aboard flights in the EU will be able to use their mobile phones to the maximum of their capacity and features.

The European Union announced that airlines flying in and out of the EU member nations will be able to provide the latest 5G technology on their planes as well as previous mobile technology generations. This means that flyers can now make and receive phone calls, text messages and use data just as they would on the ground, the European Commission said in a statement.

5G In Flights: European Union allows 5G rollout in flights. (Reuters)

The development came as the European Commission updated the previously implemented decision on spectrum for mobile communications on-board aircrafts. The 5G service will be provided using special network equipment called a pico-cell that connects the in-flight network to the ground via a satellite, the European Union said.

The passengers aboard flights in the EU will be able to use their mobile phones to the maximum of their capacity and features, the statement added.

Thierry Breton, the European Council's commissioner for the internal market, said, “5G will enable innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European companies. The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity.”

In 2020, the US Federal Communications Commission rolled back plans to allow in-flight voice and data services via mobile wireless frequencies, saying that there was strong opposition including from airline pilots and flight attendants on safety.