To half the passengers on EK its nothing new anyway. About two months ago between LHR and DXB i passed a lady sitting forward of R5 door who was deeply engrossed in a conversation on her mobile phone. At my first request she refused to turn off her phone and only at my insistance did she do it .. and then pleaded ignorance. At the time we were flying over Turkey.
But to be honest, im dreading the day when its made open to all. No one will bother to turn off their phones so even while they're asleep their phone will be ringing away in the hatrack or elsewhere.