The European Union's regulator, the European Commission, has announced that mobile phones can be used in plane flights. However, how soon this will happen in practice is still unknown. There are still many things that need to be sorted out, and some airlines will allow phone use earlier than others.

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding, who made the announcement, said the regulator is also thinking about customers and will not allow them to be ripped off. "Now we expect operators to be transparent and innovative in their price offerings. However, if consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take off," Reding said.

The system is quite simple: the plane will have its own "cell", a special onboard network antenna which will ensure all mobile communications on the aircraft. The cell will be connected to the ground networks via satellite. This will allow for very low power to be used by the phones, which will make them safe for the airplane's electronic equipment. Still, the phones will have to be off during take-off and landing.

Airlines will have to find solutions to shield other passengers from people who use their phones. "It's common sense airlines offer that. The Commission will not regulate on this issue, which is a fact of modern life," EU spokesman Martin Selmayr said.

Some companies already allow phones on planes, such as Air France. Others want none of it, such as Germany's Lufthansa. The airline said that a large majority of customers were against it, because People don't want to be disturbed. However, the company will re-launch Internet access.

The new provisions will simplify greatly the mobile service while in flight, offering both an easy to use legal framework and a readily available technical solution.

"First wait what your airline tells you when you board the plane. Until further notice the usual reminders to switch off your mobile phone on the aircraft will remain in place," said Selmayr.