FCC aims to boost airborne wireless, Internet
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-16 15:52

U.S. airline travelers may be able to use their mobile telephones as well as get high-speed Internet service while in the air under plans launched by U.S. communications regulators on Wednesday.

The Federal Communications Commission proposed easing its ban on wireless phones and other communications devices while airborne. Voting 5-0 to seek public comment, the FCC said it was coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration that is due to receive its own report on the issue next year.

To address concerns about interfering with aircraft safety, the FCC proposed that the phones and other gadgets operate at their lowest power and their signals be retransmitted to the ground by a central device on the aircraft.

In addition to concerns about interference with aircraft communications and guidance systems, there are worries about overwhelming devices on the ground and whether it is technically feasible to support thousands of calls in the air.

And in the world where many travelers are looking for the next chance to log on to the Internet, the FCC said it would auction next year airwaves aimed at providing high-speed broadband Internet to airline passengers at their seats.

While the five FCC commissioners loved the concept of airborne Internet, they expressed trepidation about scores of travelers chattering into their phones in the air. But they agreed aerial etiquette was not their responsibility.

"Our job is to make communications possible," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. "Society, the airlines, and the FAA will have a lot more to say about how and in what manner these services can function."

Phones embedded in airline seat backs have been available for years, but consumers have largely balked at their cost. A Verizon Communications unit is currently the major provider of air-to-ground telephones on U.S. flights.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forbids the cabin use of devices that intentionally emit radio waves during flight -- like wireless phones and computers that can communicate with each other. An FAA advisory group is due to report next year on whether to ease the ban.

"We want to make sure no device interferes with navigation and communication equipment on the airplane," said Laura Brown, an FAA spokeswoman.

The FCC proposal drew some skepticism from the Air Transport Association, the industry's chief lobbying group, which noted the service would be at least two or three years away.

"A couple issues need to be addressed first -- solving the interference problem and delivering technology that makes cell phones work at 30,000 feet," said Doug Wills, an association spokesman. "There also is a nuisance factor (that needs to be addressed)."

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ALOFT

The FCC on Wednesday also approved rules aimed at promoting telephone and high-speed Internet services on airplanes with air-to-ground frequencies now used by those seat back phones.

The agency voted to auction 4 megahertz of wireless airwaves by the end of 2005, but left open how the airwaves would be divided between bidders. That drew some criticism from the Democrats on the FCC.

The FCC set up scenarios for splitting the airwaves and the agency will go with whichever one receives the highest bids. The possibilities include either two overlapping licenses for 3 megahertz (Mhz) of airwaves, or one 3 Mhz exclusive license and another 1 Mhz exclusive license.

"The way the FCC has decided to launch this new service risks creating a monopoly for broadband air-to-ground services," said Commissioner Michael Copps.

Airlines, wireless companies and aircraft maker Boeing Co. are excited by the prospect of more in-flight communications services to meet travelers' demands -- and the possible extra revenue.

The FCC also on Wednesday granted Verizon a nonrenewable, five-year extension of its current license to operate airborne phone service. Verizon would be limited to operating its service in 1 Mhz of the airwaves, the agency said.

The FAA has certified an on-board Internet connection for international flights developed by Boeing that operates off satellites.

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