Passengers aboard flights in the EU to be able to use 5G whilst flying

A huge move for passengers travelling in the EU, as the European Commission has ruled airlines can provide 5G technology during flights, alongside slower mobile data.

This could mean the end of passangers being asked to switch their devices to ‘airplane mode’, although the specifics of how it will work are yet to be clarified. 

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, tells the BBC the plan would “enable innovative services for people” and help European companies grow.

“The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity,” he adds.

The EU Commission has reserved certain frequency bands for aircraft since 2008, allowing some services to offer mid-air internet access. But this service has been lacklustre at best, relying on equipment to connect people via a satellite between the plane and ground.

The new system will take advantage of the much faster download speeds via 5G, which according to mobile network EE, can be over 100Mbps – enabling a film downloads in a matter of minutes.

The deadline for member states to make the 5G frequency bands available for planes is 30 June 2023, meaning we could see full connectivity as early as the end of 2023.