FCC Proposes Permitting In-Flight Voice/Data Cell Phone UseThe U.S. Federal Communications Commission plans to introduce a proposal that would allow passengers to use cell phones on airplanes during flight, reports The Wall Street Journal. Under the terms of the proposal, airplane passengers would be permitted to make voice calls and use cellular data when above 10,000 feet.The Federal Communications Commission will propose allowing passengers to use their cellphones on airplanes, people familiar with the matter said. While phone use would still be restricted during takeoff and landing, the proposal would lift an FCC ban on airborne calls and cellular data use by passengers once a flight reaches 10,000 feet, an FCC official said.The proposal, which will be discussed during the FCC's December meeting, would let individual airlines implement wireless technology and decide whether to allow customers to make voice calls while in flight. The FCC introduced a similar proposal in 2007, which was ultimately abandoned after both numerous complaints about the idea and a "lack of technical information." Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration relaxed the rules on the use of electronic devices in flight, permitting gate to gate use of devices like iPads. Most major airlines in the United States have now adopted the new policy, which allows an iPhone to be used in-flight with "Airplane" mode enabled to restrict cellular access. The Federal Communications Commission intends to release the proposal as a Notice of Proposed Rule Making, accepting comments on the plan ahead of a final decision. According to The Wall Street Journal, the entire process could take several months. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Apple Releases AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.7.2 • LaCie Adds 2TB Option to Its 'Rugged' Thunderbolt/USB 3.0 Portable Drives • 4chan Founder's 'DrawQuest' App Now Available for the iPhone • 3D Planet Weather Simulator 'Living Earth' Updated with New Visual Design, Background App Refresh • ESPN Launches Rebranded SportsCenter App with League 'Clubhouses', Enhanced Game Pages • Long Awaited 'Clumsy Ninja' Game Now Available in App Store • China Mobile Launching New Brand on December 18, Fueling Rumors of iPhone Debut • Moshi Announces Ultrathin 'VersaKeyboard' iPad Air Case
http://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/21/fcc-proposes-permitting-in-flight-voicedata-cell-phone-use/
