Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will regulate the costs of mobile phone calls and texts of persons who are flying; if he will be working with his European counterparts on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10512/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission has recently introduced rules to harmonise conditions for the provision of pan-European mobile communication services on aircraft. The rules clear the way for airlines to allow their passengers use their mobiles phones while the aircraft is in flight. It is a matter for airlines and service providers to decide whether to offer the service or not.

Commercial considerations, such as pricing of in-flight mobile phone use, are not yet addressed in the measures taken by the European Commission, in view of the fact that these are still new services. The cost of mobile communications on board aircraft therefore will fall, first of all, under the remit of the service provider. The European Commission will, however, closely monitor the levels and transparency of prices charged to consumers. Neither ComReg nor the Department has a role in regulating retail prices of such services.