while airborne. The cell phone ban was adopted in 1991 based on the threat of harmful interference from airborne use of cellular phones to terrestrial cellular networks. The SMR handset rule was adopted based on the same rationale—to prevent harmful interference with land-based operations. Regarding airborne broadband access, in 1990 the FCC allocated four megahertz of spectrum for commercial Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service, leading to the deployment of phones on aircraft. And, since the 1990s, airlines have been permitted to use mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum to provide data service. Also, starting in 2001, the FCC authorized certain parties on an basis to use Fixed Satellite Service spectrum to provide ad hoc broadband connectivity to airborne aircraft. In 2005, the FCC cleared the way for airlines to begin offering Wi-Fi. Since the adoption of the FCC’s ban on the use of cell phones during flight, there has been a proliferation of cell phones, smart phones, and other PEDs, leading to a significant increase in consumer demand for broadband connectivity on board aircraft and the number of passengers using PEDs during flight. The FAA recognized as much when it announced on October 31, 2013, that it had determined that airlines could safely expand passenger use of PEDs during all phases of flight and issued Information for Operators (InFO 13010, Use of “Expanding Passenger Portable Electronic Devices (PED).”. The FAA did not address passenger use of voice communication using cellular technology enabled devices in the expanded PED policy because of FCC’s existing ban on use of cell phones during flight. In light of the technical viability of and increasing public interest in using mobile communication services on aircraft in flight, on December 12, 2013, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to revise outdated rules and to adopt a consistent
while airborne. The cell phone ban was adopted in 1991 based on the threat of harmful interference from airborne use of cellular phones to terrestrial cellular networks. The SMR handset rule was adopted based on the same rationale—to prevent harmful interference with land-based operations. Regarding airborne broadband access, in 1990 the FCC allocated four megahertz of spectrum for commercial Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service, leading to the deployment of phones on aircraft. And, since the 1990s, airlines have been permitted to use mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum to provide data service. Also, starting in 2001, the FCC authorized certain parties on an ad hoc basis to use Fixed Satellite Service spectrum to provide broadband connectivity to airborne aircraft. In 2005, the FCC cleared the way for airlines to begin offering Wi-Fi. Since the adoption of the FCC’s ban on the use of cell phones during flight, there has been a proliferation of cell phones, smart phones, and other PEDs, leading to a significant increase in consumer demand for broadband connectivity on board aircraft and the number of passengers using PEDs during flight. The FAA recognized as much when it announced on October 31, 2013, that it had determined that airlines could safely expand passenger use of PEDs during all phases of flight and issued Information for Operators (InFO 13010, “Expanding Use of Passenger Portable Electronic Devices (PED).”. The FAA did not address passenger use of voice communication using cellular technology enabled devices in the expanded PED policy because of FCC’s existing ban on use of cell phones during flight. In light of the technical viability of and increasing public interest in using mobile communication services on aircraft in flight, on December 12, 2013, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to revise outdated rules and to adopt a consistent
OIRA%20Cell%20Phone%20ANPRM-%20Clean%20final%20Feb%2012%202014.docx