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FCC to Weigh Cell Phone Use On Planes

Nov 21, 2013, 4:12 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Nov 21, 2013, 5:02 PM

The Federal Communications Commission today indicated that it is willing to reassess whether or not U.S. flyers can make cell phone calls and/or text when in the air. Such use would require special equipment on the plane that duplicates the functionality of a cell phone tower and relays communications to the ground through a dedicated link, much like current in-flight Wi-Fi services. Planes without the special new equipment would still require phones to be kept in airplane mode throughout the flight. "Today, we circulated a proposal to expand consumer access and choice for in-flight mobile broadband. Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules," said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. "I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the FAA, and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers." The Federal Aviation Administration recently relaxed rules pertaining to the use of electronic devices when on planes. The FAA now believes it is safe for passengers to use devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops from gate-to-gate. The FCC didn't say how long it might take to review its current policy.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

T Bone

Nov 21, 2013, 9:22 PM

No it doesn't

It doesn't require any special equipment or special connection.....or does the FCC expect us to not remember all the phone calls from airplanes that successfully connected without difficulty on 9-11, including the especially memorable phone call from Todd Beamer on board United Flight 93 righter before he and a few others stormed the ****pit to retake the plane from the hijackers? This is the famous call when he uttered the immortal words 'let's roll', words which became a kind of national sensation for a while there?

No special equipment is needed.

Poison Ivy

PS censored "c0ckpit". LMAO 🤣

T Bone said:
...memorable phone call from Todd Beamer on board United Flight 93 righter before he and a few others stormed the ****pit to retake the plane from the hijackers?

phonetekmek

At certain cruising altiltude you wont get cell service. I've turned my phone on out of curiousity and got 0 bars. So I would imagine special transponders installed like the wi-fi. I honestly hope it doesn't come about. It to small of an area for ever...
(continues)

WiWavelength

T Bone said:
It doesn't require any special equipment or special connection.....or does the FCC expect us to not remember all the phone calls from airplanes that successfully connected without difficulty on 9-11, including the espe

...
(continues)

DarkStar

Well with cellphones the keyword is cell. They are made to to handoff at speeds of about 60MPH. But an airplane is going about 600MPH. So it would cause lots of handoffs and hurt the mobile network.

jhr2112

Nov 21, 2013, 4:35 PM

No way

Great, now the one place I didn't have to hear everyone's problems....

johnhr2

What you don't like being in close quarters with strangers and have them talking on phones?

Wonder if carriers will charge an arm and a leg for plane service or if it will be part of the plan is what I am waiting to see.

...

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