4G and 3G data on planes approved by European Commission

The use of mobile phones on planes has been one of the most controversial debates surrounding passenger flight but now it looks like that's all about to change/

The European Commission has approved the use of 3G and 4G data on flights over European airspace. This means that airlines are now free to decide whether they let passengers use data services whilst flying on their planes.

Despite the general belief that all data had been banned the EC had actually granted the use of 2G data during flights however a large percentage of airlines still stick with the flight mode rule during flights.

This news comes after European Aviation Safety Agency had approved the use of personal electronic devices during take-off and landing letting passengers use electronically powered headphones, as well as smartphones and tablets as long as they were in 'flight safe' mode.

With the EC's ruling now freeing up the ability to use data during flights all eyes will now be on the airlines themselves to see whether they start to allow the use of smartphones and data during the flights themselves.

Considering the EASA ruling on take-off and landing won't come into effect until the end of November it could be some time before you'll be able to have an airborne FaceTime conversation over iPhone 5s in Europe.