December 15, 2004
The Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules that would allow travelers to use wireless Internet connections on airplanes. The commission also agreed to study whether it is time to lift the ban on cell phones in the sky.
Questions remain, however, about how the airborne connections will work. The FCC will take competitive bids from companies wanting spectrum space to be used for the wireless high-speed Internet connections. Still undecided is how many companies will be permitted to offer the service.
Some commissioners said they feared one or two large companies would buy up all the frequencies and establish a stranglehold on the market. It's expected that plans will be completed and domestic commercial aircraft outfitted with the equuipment by 2006.
The cell phone situation is less clear, partly because the FCC is not the only agency involved -- the Federal Aviation Administration also bans the use of cell phones in flight.
Contrary to common belief, the biggest problem with airborne wireless phones is not interference with navigation but interference with cell phones on the ground. By having a clear line of sight to multiple cell towers, airborne users could "suck up" all or most of the available channels, some engineers fear.
The wireless data connections won't cause problems because they will use the same technology now used on seat-back phones. It uses a dedicated channel set aside for that purpose and does not interference with either airborne or ground-based users.
The FAA has commissioned a private, independent study of the matter. The study won't be complete until 2006 and the FAA will not make any decision until it sees the results of the study.
Among those supporting both measures was the Air Travelers Associaton, a passenger group, which said business travelers would be more efficient if they could stay in touch via data and cell phones while aloft.
Airlines see the proposals as potential moneymakers. But the Air Transport Association was cautious in its comments, saying airlines must also consider the desire of some passengers for a quiet cabin.
