Congress Hangs Up In-Flight Cellphone Talk
David Utter
WebProNews Staff Writer
2005-07-18
Source:
http://www.webpronews.com/news/ebusinessnews/wpn-45-20050718CongressHangsUpInFlightCellphoneTalk.html
The House Aviation Subcommittee does not hold the same enthusiasm about
in-flight cell talk as the wireless companies do.
Ever since it was announced that the FCC might relax its long-time ban on
in-flight cellphone usage, there have been opinions offered from both
sides. Some passengers want to at least have the option to make or take a
call from the air.
Others would prefer the friendly skies to remain cellphone-free. That side
of public opinion includes normal people who don't want to be stuck next to
someone who talks for five hours non-stop on a flight to the coast.
Cingular came out against the idea in June, in a letter to the FCC citing
its customers' concerns. The airline industry has long cited electronic
interference as the reason for banning cellphone usage, but that position
dates back to a time when handsets were substantially larger than they are
today.
Now, the House Aviation Subcommittee has weighed in with its opinion.
Members of the subcommittee showed little enthusiasm last week when the
matter came up for discussion, according to USA Today.
The subcommittee noted the annoyance factor of being an unwilling
third-party to half of a phone conversation. "The last thing most air
passengers want is to be forced to listen to their neighbor chat on their
cell phone about their ailments, dating problems, the latest reality TV
show or up-to-the minute, estimated time of arrivals for the duration of
the flight," said chairman John Mica (R-Fl).
Any new service would be satellite-based, and Boeing's Connexion unit has
been anticipating a 2006 introduction of its service offering. Connexion
president Laurette Koellner has said she thinks "regulatory issues and the
social issues" will be ironed out by then.
-------------------------
About the Author:
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.
================================
George Antunes, Political Science Dept
University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204
Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927
antunes at uh dot edu
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