“Makers of smartphones and networking gear urged U.S. regulators to end a ban on in-flight calls, adding their voices to an issue that’s roused public cries against noisy airplane seatmates,” Todd Shields reports for Bloomberg. “The Federal Communications Commission should end its ban so text, data ‘and even voice connectivity’ can be available to airborne passengers, including those on long-haul international flights, three trade associations said in a joint filing to the agency today. Airlines could decide what services passengers could use, the trade groups said.”
“The groups weighing in were the Telecommunications Industry Association representing makers and suppliers of networks, including Intel Corp.; the Information Technology and Industry Council with members including Google Inc. and Akamai Technologies Inc.; and the Consumer Electronics Association representing phone makers Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.,” Shields reports. “The FCC is considering allowing airline passengers to make voice calls using their mobile phones at altitudes above 10,000 feet. Its ban was put in place in the 1990s because of potential interference to wireless networks on the ground.”
“A Transportation Department online log list 1,774 entries including comments that warn of ‘angry confrontations’ and ‘extremely intrusive’ calls. The FCC attracted more than 1,300 comments; one warned that if surrounded in-flight by people using telephones, ‘I would not be able to stay sane,'” Shields reports. “Together, the agencies may decide to block voice calls while permitting other uses, such as texting and e-mail.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
Yapping seatmates a hurdle in FCC plan for inflight cellphone calls – November 22, 2013
U.S. FCC to propose allowing cellphone use on airplanes – November 21, 2013
Oh great just the kinda pf polution we need on a long relaxing flight…
Relaxing flight! You lose control of your destiny to some horny pilot who’s number one priority is which hot babe/guy he/she is going to bang tonight.
How can you relax knowing this?
Texting and browsing are fine. But there better be a clear right to knock the stuffing out of any clown making voice calls any longer than “honey, I’m going to be late”.
Just when you thought travel couldn’t get any less glamorous.
It is bad enough when these people are talking loudly on their phones in their own world while walking in the concourses. Pack them tightly in an aircraft, and this behavior becomes orders of magnitude more disruptive and annoying.
I’ll bet flight attendants just can’t wait for this to come to pass. 😛
Geez thanks Apple… just what we always wanted; not only sitting beside some random douche bag on the plane but now we have to hear just how much of a douche bag he is on the phone while we sit next to him. I know you don’t believe in asking customers what they want and all… but maybe JUST maybe, there is some merit to asking…
I say they should treat this like they do in movie theaters.
“Do it, and we’ll escort you out.”
Doesn’t matter if it is out of the theater or out of the plane – while boarding or mid-flight. 🙂
Hundreds of people competing to hear and be heard over all the other people and the engines. I’ll pass on that. Might be the first multiple homicide on an airplane.
This reminds me of a time when I was getting some sun in the Mexican Riveria. The scene was tranquil; the blue-green water glistened and the palm trees swayed. The chatter from those experiencing the perfect moment was hum, trying not to disturb the peace. Without warning a “New York” type of swell walked into the water, faced us and began to flail his fat, hairy body to and fro like a dead fish. He then pulled out a cell phone and began to noisily grunt about his latest stock picks. Thanks for killing the scene asshole.
People still talk on phones? News to me….. 🙂
Time to order those noise canceling headphones. Crank up the Zeppelin and close your eyes.
Don’t need fat slob gas bag Americans belching into their phones on travel. Already too obnoxious with their lard asses and white tennis shoes and load mouths.
Gawd, pleeez no voice calls. It’s bad enough right after landing, hearing the inanity of 20 people saying into their phone, “we just landed.” Jeezus, no shit, really?