US Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin wants to terminate the agency's notice of proposed rulemaking that seeks to lift the ban on in-flight cellular telephone use.
The US FCC confirms that Martin has circulated an item to the other commissioners recommending they vote to leave existing rules in place, due in part to concerns from the wireless telecommunications industry that in-flight mobile phone usage will interfere with calls on the ground.
A lack of interest by the industry and consumers is also understood to be a driver behind the push to maintain current rules. At present, FCC regulations require that mobile phones be turned off once an aircraft leaves the ground to avoid interfering with terrestrial cellular systems. The FCC's NPRM, officially tabled in February 2005, proposed the airborne operation of "off the shelf" wireless handsets and other devices.
The commissioners' vote has not yet been scheduled, says the FCC, but declines to provide further comment, noting that Martin's proposal is still pending.
The use of cellular telephone and other wireless devices aboard aircraft is also subject to the policies of the US Federal Aviation Administration, which is studying whether in-flight cell phone use will interfere with avionics.
Colorado-based AirCell, looking to offer broadband services in-flight, is not concerned by the proposal. "It doesn't really have much to do with our business plan. We're exclusively focused on wi-fi services, not cellphones," says the company.
Source: Flight International
