Hopes -- and worries -- that U.S. regulators will soon end the ban on using wireless phones during U.S. commercial flights are likely at least a year or two early, government officials and analysts say.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission Wednesday plans to seek public comment on whether to ease or lift its prohibition on the use of wireless phones and two-way communications devices like Blackberrys while in the air.
FCC officials stressed that it could take at least a year to lift the agency's ban. And there still is a prohibition by the Federal Aviation Administration, which could take another year to ease.
The agencies are moving cautiously because of concerns the communications would interfere with operating a plane and could overwhelm wireless systems on the ground. There are also questions about whether it's technically feasible to support thousands of calls from the air.
There are almost 173 million wireless phone subscribers, according to industry estimates.
"We hope to complete our work as expeditiously as possible, but anything we do here at the FCC doesn't alter the rules at the FAA," FCC spokeswoman Lauren Patrich said.
To guard aircraft safety, the FAA forbids the cabin use of devices that intentionally emit radio waves, like wireless phones and computers that can communicate with each other.
A technical advisory group is to report back next year on whether these restrictions should be changed, FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto said.
Other electronic devices, like music players and standard laptops, which can unintentionally cause interference, are permitted once the aircraft rises above 10,000 feet. Usually, flight attendants tell passengers once the plane reaches that altitude and those devices can be used.
Gearing up for competition
While the bans are debated, the FCC plans to push rules Wednesday aimed at boosting competition for air-to-ground telephone and high-speed Internet services with frequencies now used by phones embedded in plane seats, agency officials said.
A Verizon Communications unit is the major provider of air-to-ground telephones on U.S. commercial flights. Others bowed out over the last few years because consumers, in part, balked at the high prices.
Verizon's Airfone service typically costs $3.99 a minute plus a $3.99 connection fee per domestic voice call. It also offers some data services for a fee.
Airlines, rival wireless companies and aircraft maker Boeing Co. are salivating at the prospect of more in-flight communications services, including high-speed Internet, or broadband, to meet travelers' demands.
The additional fees the airlines and providers could charge for those services would be a boon to the ailing airline industry, which is enduring fare wars and high fuel prices.
"Today the high cost of wireless when flying has kept the users low," telecommunications analyst Jeff Kagan said. "But once the cost drops or once you can use your own phone on board, the quiet air cabin may be a thing of the past."
Kagan, who does a lot of traveling, said he loves and hates the idea of making and receiving calls during a flight.
"We should be very careful before opening this up," he said. "Just think how annoying it is to hear the person behind you shouting to his neighbor when you are trying to work or read or sleep."
Boeing and a private company, AirCell Inc., have urged the FCC to auction two air-to-ground wireless licenses and limit bidders to winning only one to ensure competition. The airlines want the FCC to ensure enough spectrum is sold so that a provider can meet the demand for airborne broadband.
"Although the demand for voice services has declined over the past few years, the demand for data services continues to increase," Continental Airlines told the FCC in September.