The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to move forward with a plan to allow airlines to permit passengers to use mobile phones during flights on aircraft higher than 10,000 feet– but any move toward in-flight phone conversations may be blocked by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
At the same time the FCC approved a “notice of proposed rule-making” (NPRM) seeking public comments on whether or not airline passengers should be allowed to use mobile devices in flight, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will initiate a proceeding to possibly ban disruptive in-flight voice calls.
“Over the past few weeks, we have heard of concerns raised by airlines, travelers, flight attendants, members of Congress and others who are all troubled over the idea of passengers talking on cell phones in flight—and I am concerned about this possibility as well,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in statement. “We will look at whether [in-flight voice calls] are fair to consumers.”
FCC chairman Tom Wheeler agrees, saying during a commission meeting: “I get it… I don’t want the person in the seat next to me yapping at 35,000 feet any more than anyone else.”
Wheeler said the FCC’s role is to determine whether new technologies will now negate concerns about mobile device interference with existing mobile networks. The proposal would let airlines decide what mobile services they allow, subject to a possible ban on voice calls. Airlines could allow other mobile services–such as email, texts, and web browsing–if they install new equipment to eliminate interference, he said.
While the FCC approved Wheeler’s request to seek comments on the proposal, some FCC commissioners voiced reservations about allowing all types of mobile use on flights, with one commissioner who voted against it even saying it could lead to an increase in “air rage” incidents by some angry passengers.
The FCC has prohibited in-flight mobile phone use since 1991, due to concerns about interference to mobile networks on the ground. The ban has long been questioned by self-proclaimed gadget geeks, who’ve questioned the validity or severity of mobile networks’ interference with airline electronics. Now however, the FCC claims that new specialized on-board technology can avoid such interference.
Once the FCC proposal is finalized, airlines are expected to start submitting their new policies to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval. Some airlines, such as American and JetBlue, have already announced their intention to enforce rules against in-flight calling, although those airlines haven’t yet provided details.
