Mobile phone calls and texts on flights could soon be allowed under new proposals by UK's communications and competition authority Ofcom.

The proposals have been developed jointly with other EU countries and are intended to cover all European airspace.

Ofcom says it will be a matter for individual airlines to judge whether there is consumer demand for these services, and the installation of mobile systems on aircraft will only be allowed when approved by UK and European aviation authorities.

The proposed system includes an on-board base station which connects to the passengers' own mobile phone handsets. Both of these must be switched off during take-off and landing to eliminate interference with other terrestrial mobile networks.