FCC to Propose Allowing Cellphone Use on Airplanes

The Federal Communications Commission will propose that cellphone use be allowed on airplanes, according to the WSJ. Usage would still be restricted during takeoff and landing; however, the FCC ban on voice calls and data use over 10,000 feet would be lifted.

Even if the ban is lifted, airlines have said that their customers strongly object to the idea, and thus they may not approve cellphone use on their flights.

When the FCC made a similar proposal in 2004, it received more than 8,000 comments. The FCC dropped the proposal in 2007 amid objections from flight attendants and other groups who said airborne phone calls would be a nuisance. The FCC also was concerned by a "lack of technical information upon which we may base a decision," according to its 2007 decision.


The FAA cites a survey of 1,600 U.S. adults that reports 51% of respondents expressing negative reactions to in-flight phone calls while 47% reacted positively.

On October 31st, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airlines can safely expand passenger use of electronic devices during all phases of flight, and has provided the airlines with implementation guidelines. Those guidelines allow PEDs to be used while in Airplane mode.

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