Gov’t Weighs Permitting Cellphone Calls on Planes

Federal regulators say rules against making cellphone calls during airline flights are “outdated,” and it’s time to change them.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement Thursday the commission is proposing greater in-flight access to mobile broadband. The proposal will be considered at the commission’s Dec. 12 meeting.

Wheeler says modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably. He says — quote — “the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules.”

Flight attendants and others have worried that a plane full of chattering passengers could lead to arguments and undermine safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently lifted restrictions on the use of most personal electronic devices during takeoffs and landings, but not cellphone calls, which fall under the FCC.

This article appeared in print on page 2 of the November 22nd, 2013 edition of Hamodia.