Europe To Allow Cell Phones On Planes And then like OMG, Brittney totally told Chad off, and I was like OMG NO WAY.... 06:19PM Monday Apr 07 2008 by Karl tags: business · wireless · world The European Union has officially given the go ahead for the use of cellphones on airlines, once the plane has reached an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). The new system will use pico cells to deliver cell service to chatty cabin compatriots, whose grocery lists and weekend plans will now rattle Europeans out of their deep slumber. It appears they're still formulating the rules, but the services will only be 2G, and won't be cheap. European lawmakers issued a few warnings we assume nobody will actually adhere to: Viviane Reding, the EU telecoms commissioner, has warned operators to keep the cost of calls made on planes at a reasonable level. "If consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take-off. "I also call on airlines and operators to create the right conditions on board aircraft to ensure that those who want to use in-flight communication services do not disturb other passengers," she said. Who knows how exactly they plan to enforce civility among annoyed passengers (taser-equipped airline attendants?). Here in the States, the powers-that-be have thus far managed to protect us from the obnoxious in-flight prattle of our fellow countrymen by pretending iPods, Gameboys and Walkmen create rifts in the space/time continuum and instantaneous plane implosion. Sorry, Europe.