RSSBoeing: Cell Phones on Planes by 2006
By Ed Oswald | Published June 16, 2005, 11:47 AM
Boeing says that even though a large majority of the flying public is against it, the company expects to begin selling cell phone access by next year. In order for this to happen, however, Boeing must convince the Federal Avation Administration to not only ignore airline passengers, but also some cellular phone companies as well.
Wireless provider Cingular late last week came out in opposition to a lift of the ban, saying, "We believe there is a time and a place for wireless phone conversations, and seldom does that include the confines of an airplane flight."
But Boeing is still optimistic. "We expect that once the regulatory issues and the social issues are ironed out we'll be introducing that (mobile phone) service as well," Laurette Koellner, president of Connexion by Boeing told Reuters at the Paris Air Show. "The technology is pretty well figured out."
A poll commissioned by the National Consumers League and a flight attendant's union showed heavy opposition to allowing cell phone use on planes.
There are several possibilities of offering a compromise to those who wish to use their phones. One is a "quiet zone" of the airplane, where usage of phones would be prohibited. Another is quiet times, which would ban use of phones at certain points during a flight. According to Koellner, the latter is the most likely solution.
In any case, Cingular plans to encourage its users to refrain from airborne cell phone use, whether or not the ban is lifted. "Cingular will encourage passengers to 'tap, not talk' - that is, to use discreet services such as text messaging and e-mail as opposed to voice communications in flight."
God help us.
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|I have to strongly disagree with cell phones on planes. If they allow cells they should have a small area away from other people that allows it.
Don't those new boeings have wireless internet access and private rooms, though? Link up a headset to your laptop away from other people, or just use instant messenging.
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|O vanity! - Don' these "cell phoners" know that the really rich people fly in their own planes . . . - Put them in a cell and give 'em a phone. full stop.
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|Im glad I live in America where Im free to talk on my damn cellphone any time I want if you don't like it bring a parachute
Its called liberty get used to it technogeeks
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|Freedom of speech is about what you say, dude. You're not at liberty to smoke in an airplane, so clearly behavior can be regulated for the benefit of others.
Living in America does give you the right to talk about whatever you choose. It doesn't allow you to impede my pursuit of happiness.
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|Sorry, dude, to upset you - - but THIS is not about living in the USA (that's what you mean, I guess, you don't really want to live in Brasil or Argentine . . .) - - This is a discussion issue EVERYWHERE in the (rich) parts of this world. - - And, no -- I'm not against technology, but I am FOR a quieter world. -- Sorry, but it Is my right to stand up for that one . . . just like you have the right to stand up for wishing to use your cellphone on a plane. So what?! Would you stand me smoking cigars, sitting right next to you on a plane?
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|yes but me talking on the phone, or the passenger next to me (like it matters to you?) doesn't have any hazardous effects to your health. most flights i've been on recently give you a free headset to watch satelite television or listen to music. so just put it on and mind your business.
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|Yeah, and if I were to urinate on your front lawn, that wouldn't have any hazardous effects on your health either, would it? Buddy, it's about doing the right thing and being considerate of others by respecting their right to privacy by not infringing upon their personal space while enjoying a flight that they paid a lot of money for. No one in their right mind wants to listen to some clown yapping away - in mosts cases louder than they need to be - on their cell phone.
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|"Living in America does give you the right to talk about whatever you choose. It doesn't allow you to impede my pursuit of happiness."
Ha ha in America you can say what you want...? Right but they won't listen to you and if they do they come back with you with the wrong information, read LIES! (Refering to your big corporates and government who walks on the hand of those corporates... money money money). Again same as Boeing suddenly allowing cell phones on planes, what a bunch of hypocrits!
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|Think of it this way... would you whip out your phone in an elevator? No. Do you like when others do? No.
Flying is just an "elevator ride", but less comfortable and often with less room.
No one appreciates it. Allow email, not cell calls.
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|Have any of you people ever been on public transit when some some un-adulterated F***head is blabbing away about some stupid business deal that everyone else has to listen to? There's no reason to use one in flight for chrissake!! Anyone who feels compelled to is a complete L-O-S-E-R! In fact, this is the type of brainwashed-by-his-employer-needs-a-life idiot who places work over health and family. How pathetic!
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|I agree with the ban. I think it's very annoying when people start talking on cell phones during a flight. Can you imagine if even a quarter of the passengers on any given flight start blabbing away on phones? And we all know that many people can't keep a low voice while on their phone. I think it'd be extremely annoying to allow cell phone usage during flights.
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|Crying babies and 400lbs people who have eau-de-mothball are enough. Now it's gonna be "man, you need to invest in pancakes".
General public, I hate you.
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|honestly, i put on my headphones and watch direct tv when i fly as do most people(on my flights anyway). i could care less if the person is talking to the passenger next to them, or on a cell phone.they should make a rule stating that you need to wear deodorant when u fly.
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|I agree most people on my flights (and I fly about once a month) listen to music/movies or sleep. There are already people talking on planes as long as people don't yell on their cell phones what is the difference? Besides people can already use them when taxying(sp?) and it isn't that loud.
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|Taxying (sp? as well haha), is different than actual flying. I can't imagine someone sitting next to me like previously mentioned, blabbing about some business deal or private matter that I don't care about. It would be the same people who use speakerphone on their cells no matter where they are and yell into it because the speakerphones don't work for anything that would be most annoying. In coach class it would only take one or two people like that on most domestic flights to annoy everyone on the entire plane. Plus many people are just incosiderate in general.
*beep-beep* CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
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|So Boeing is using the same tricks as the Bush government. Holding information for years and telling customers how dangerous it is to use cell phones on airplanes and suddenly it is all possible... Not many people will use this anyway in economy class as rates will be sky high for making a call...
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