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FCC Proposes Permitting In-Flight Voice/Data Cell Phone Use
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Data yes, voice no. If you allow voice, plead give the flight crew some teeth to tell you to stop the call if you're annoying. I'd rather them abuse the no voice power if they get that than listen about your break up.
This would involve putting base stations into the planes, and the backhaul to the rest of the network (ISP / PSTN) would be handled separately.
There have been GSM and UMTS picocells on international carriers for some years already.
You wouldn't be making a call from your phone to the cell site on the ground, you'd be making a call from your phone to the base station in the plane.
There have been GSM and UMTS picocells on international carriers for some years already.
You wouldn't be making a call from your phone to the cell site on the ground, you'd be making a call from your phone to the base station in the plane.
A really, really bad idea
If this is allowed I expect we will see increased on in-flight arguments and disruptions. Passengers trying to work, read, or relax will hate having phone conversations nearby. Bad, bad idea.
If this is allowed I expect we will see increased on in-flight arguments and disruptions. Passengers trying to work, read, or relax will hate having phone conversations nearby. Bad, bad idea.
Virgin has been slow to the punch. United, Delta, and Southwest have all allowed it so far with a couple more I can't remember. Virgin hasn't yet.
I'll catch flak for this, but I feel strongly that people should be allowed to talk--loudly even--AND even smoke--on planes in flight. I see it as a matter of personal freedom.
However, to respect the comfort and health of other passengers, I would simply suggest that talkers and smokers be required to stand outside on the wing.
However, to respect the comfort and health of other passengers, I would simply suggest that talkers and smokers be required to stand outside on the wing.
For those wondering how it would work, this would work with facetime/skype (video or audio) calls using wifi (free or paid) in the cabin, NOT cellular service unless the airline has their own service/mini cell like some have mentioned
Noooooooo............
Is this where the airlines then get to charge extra for voice free flights so you don't have to put up with the inane babbling of morons who have to talk everywhere? Gogo seems to be an acceptable solution but it needs to be more reliable.
They already charge premiums for seats where it is harder for the ***** in front to drop the seat back on your knees for the whole flight and for a seat that doesn't have two giant people on either side elbow and/or crush you for hours or due to the size and construction of the seat, immediately give you cramps, backaches or set off excruciating sciatica pain.
Is this where the airlines then get to charge extra for voice free flights so you don't have to put up with the inane babbling of morons who have to talk everywhere? Gogo seems to be an acceptable solution but it needs to be more reliable.
They already charge premiums for seats where it is harder for the ***** in front to drop the seat back on your knees for the whole flight and for a seat that doesn't have two giant people on either side elbow and/or crush you for hours or due to the size and construction of the seat, immediately give you cramps, backaches or set off excruciating sciatica pain.
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Great - not only as a 6'2" tall person can't fit comfortably in the chair, I now have to listen to 50+ passengers carrying conversations about what their bf/gf did, work ****, etc. Then the next person will talk louder and so on.
I for one would like to rule against this.
I also don't want work bugging me on flights. It's my time to relax with as little as I got.
I for one would like to rule against this.
I also don't want work bugging me on flights. It's my time to relax with as little as I got.
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People who are upset about people talking on a plane should invest in good headphones or ear plugs. Airplanes are so loud that I don't see too many people really trying to talk.
It's already happened on international carriers.
US-based carriers won't overlook this revenue source.
I've tried searching for a signal while in flight, and never have I gotten one. I don't see how this would work.
How would this even work? You'd be flying past cell towers so fast, even if a signal could *reach* a tower at that altitude you'd never be able to make a connection.
Edit: for those saying this about wi-fi calls, wi-fi data is already allowed on certain flights. The FCC doesn't have any jurisdiction over making a voice call via data services. I find it hard to believe the current airline internet options, which beam via satellite, would even have enough upstream bandwidth to make this possible for more than one person.
Edit: for those saying this about wi-fi calls, wi-fi data is already allowed on certain flights. The FCC doesn't have any jurisdiction over making a voice call via data services. I find it hard to believe the current airline internet options, which beam via satellite, would even have enough upstream bandwidth to make this possible for more than one person.
Cellular data and voice are on international carriers already? Which airlines?
I would love for them to have antennas on the plane for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile data. Voice is just a foolish idea. If they end up making it possible to use cellular data in flight, you can instantly say goodbye to GoGo. They've got to be terrified of the prospect.
As a person who flies almost every week, this sounds like a bad idea. Being on a flight is the perfect time to RELAX. Put on some noise canceling headphones, put on a face mask, and just relax.
Use for all durations - yes
Use of cellular after 10,000 ft - yes
Use of cell phones after 10,000 ft - NO
This will be mayhem.
Use for all durations - yes
Use of cellular after 10,000 ft - yes
Use of cell phones after 10,000 ft - NO
This will be mayhem.
There's a few running GSM (voice and low-speed data) already - I'll find a couple and post them in a bit (some work just came in the door that I have to get at).
Sadly, how this will work is that a 3rd-party company (a la GoGo) will come in and install the gear on the planes - probably will be both UMTS and CDMA/EVDO capable, with LTE, and you'll be a roamer to that system. So you may get both insane roaming charges on top of per-flight access fees.
All of which the 3rd party company will split with the airline. It'll be too lucrative for them to pass up.
Edited to add: Here's a link: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/n...nes-to-extend-inflight-gsm-and-wifi-services/
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