ArsTechica:
by Cyrus Farivar -
This month, Emirates became (PDF) the latest airline to add in-flight cell phone service to its fleet of A380 aircraft. The Dubai-based carrier, which had offered a similar service on other aircraft since 2008, joins Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and nearly two dozen other airlines around the world in permitting satellite-based mobile service so their passengers can make calls and send text messages from the air.
While increasing numbers of American carriers offer on-board Wi-Fi, none so far allow for mobile phone calls or text messages. In an era of all airlines looking for new ways to make money, it would seem that charging rates starting at $1.20 per minute would be a no-brainer.
So why are American airlines behind the times? Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of mobile phones in-flight—however, that rule is under review by the Federal Aviation Administration. Even foreign carriers that fly to the United States must disable the service once within 250 nautical miles of the country.
"Since 1991, the FCC has restricted the in-flight use of cell phones in US airspace because of potential interference with ground networks," wrote Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesperson, in an e-mailed statement.
"However, in the 2012 reauthorization bill, Congress directed the FAA to complete a survey of foreign governments regarding the impact of in-flight cell phone use for voice communications in scheduled passenger service in countries where in-flight use of cell phones is currently allowed. The FAA is publishing the results of this survey in the Federal Register with a comment period. The agency will send the final survey report to Congress by the end of the year, as required."
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by Cyrus Farivar -
This month, Emirates became (PDF) the latest airline to add in-flight cell phone service to its fleet of A380 aircraft. The Dubai-based carrier, which had offered a similar service on other aircraft since 2008, joins Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and nearly two dozen other airlines around the world in permitting satellite-based mobile service so their passengers can make calls and send text messages from the air.
While increasing numbers of American carriers offer on-board Wi-Fi, none so far allow for mobile phone calls or text messages. In an era of all airlines looking for new ways to make money, it would seem that charging rates starting at $1.20 per minute would be a no-brainer.
So why are American airlines behind the times? Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of mobile phones in-flight—however, that rule is under review by the Federal Aviation Administration. Even foreign carriers that fly to the United States must disable the service once within 250 nautical miles of the country.
"Since 1991, the FCC has restricted the in-flight use of cell phones in US airspace because of potential interference with ground networks," wrote Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesperson, in an e-mailed statement.
"However, in the 2012 reauthorization bill, Congress directed the FAA to complete a survey of foreign governments regarding the impact of in-flight cell phone use for voice communications in scheduled passenger service in countries where in-flight use of cell phones is currently allowed. The FAA is publishing the results of this survey in the Federal Register with a comment period. The agency will send the final survey report to Congress by the end of the year, as required."
MORE