|
 Tom Wheeler, the new chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission, said in a statement that the commission was proposing greater
in-flight access to mobile broadband. The proposal will be considered at the
commission's Dec. 12 meeting.
"The time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules," Wheeler said,
adding that modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely
and reliably.
The proposal would also allow passengers to use their smartphones to send email,
text and download data. The proposal would apply to flights when they are over
10,000 feet in altitude, but not during takeoffs and landings.
The move came just 16 days after Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the cellular
telephone industry, took over the post of FCC chairman. The proposal to ease
cellphone restrictions was greeted enthusiastically by the Telecommunications
Industry Association and the Consumer Electronics Association.
Grant Seiffert, president of the telecommunications trade group, said his
members see airline passengers as a new market opportunity.
But the electronics association acknowledged, "Engaging in phone conversations
in flight may prove technically feasible, but many may find it socially
undesirable." The association said it would be willing to work with the airline
industry on promoting telephone etiquette on planes.
Reaction from the airline industry and labor unions was skeptical. Flight
attendants and others have worried that a plane full of chattering passengers
could lead to arguments and undermine safety.
"Passengers overwhelmingly reject cellphone use in the aircraft cabin. The FCC
should not proceed with this proposal," the Association of Flight Attendants
said in a statement in response to the FCC chairman's comments.
"In far too many operational scenarios, passengers making phone calls could
extend beyond a mere nuisance, creating negative effects on aviation safety and
security that are great and far too risky," the flight attendants group said.
"Our customer feedback indicates people may not want that policy, but of course
tastes and desires change," JetBlue spokesman Morgan Johnston said in an email.
"We would prioritize making the cabin comfortable and welcoming for all — for
those who want cell service and for those who like peace and quiet."
Henry H. Harteveldt, a travel analyst with Hudson Crossing, said, "There are bad
ideas, and then there's this."
"Unlike the ability to use their personal electronics and Wi-Fi
from gate to gate, passengers don't want this," he added. "The constant chatter
of passengers on their mobile phones has the potential to further increase
tension among already stressed-out passengers. It will be a catalyst for
increased cases of 'air rage.'"
[to top of second column] |
Airline pilot and blogger Patrick Smith said permitting phone calls on planes
"introduces yet another stress factor into an already stressful environment."
"Airports already are such loud places," he said. "It's the airplane
itself, ironically, that is often the most quiet and peaceful part
of the air travel experience. Is that about to change?"
Should the FCC lift its restrictions on cellphone use, airlines
would still have the option of deciding whether to equip planes with
picocells — small, satellite base stations — to handle calls.
American Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said the airline will
wait to see what the FCC does. "However, our Wi-Fi at this time
doesn't allow voice calls."
In October, the Federal Aviation Administration lifted restrictions
on the use of most personal electronic devices during takeoffs and
landings, but not cellphone calls, which fall under the FCC. The FAA
long had barred the use of electronic devices below 10,000 feet
because of concern they could cause electronic interference with
aircraft systems during landings, the phase of flight when accidents
are most likely to occur.
The FAA based its decision to ease the restrictions based on
recommendations from an industry advisory group, which said use of
tablets, music players and other devices doesn't cause dangerous
interference on modern airliners. Passengers are supposed to put the
devices on "airplane mode." The same advisory group also recommended
that the FCC review its restrictions on phone calls.
The FCC proposal is primarily a response to the advisory group's
recommendation, an FCC spokesman said.
If the agency decides to move ahead with the proposal, it would be
just the first step in a long rulemaking process that includes
soliciting public comment. Also, the FAA, which regulates equipment
airlines add to their planes, would probably have a say on whether
plane should be retrofitted with picocells, the spokesman said.
[Associated
Press; JOAN LOWY and SCOTT MAYEROWITZ]
Mayerowitz reported from
New York. AP Airlines Writer David Koenig in Dallas contributed to
this report.
Follow Joan Lowy on
Twitter at
http://twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy.
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
