FCC Keeps Cell Phone Ban on Planes

The Federal Communications Commission has ended an inquiry into allowing the use of cell phones, saying the public comments filed in response to its notice that it was investigating the rule lacked sufficient technical evidence to overturn the ban.

An inquiry may be reopened at a later date, pending more technical data. The FCC first opened up the proceeding to public comment in December 2004 as part of a ruling to allow high-speed wireless Internet on plane flights.

The resulting flood of comments mainly came from airline customers, who complained a lifting of the ban would subject them to the conversations of chatty passengers. Several airlines also claimed the calls would interfere with their on-ground networks.

However, in all cases, little technical evidence was provided to make a change in the policy, the FCC said. "It is apparent that it is premature to decide the issues raised in the Notice," the commissioners wrote.

"We do not believe that seeking further comment at this juncture will provide us with the necessary technical information in the near term. Accordingly, we conclude that this proceeding should be terminated."

Cell phone bans in Europe have been lifted previously, with several companies already working on systems that should begin service sometime this year.

In the United States, any rule change would require the blessing of both the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. However, so far, the FAA has appeared the most reluctant of the two to change the rules.