FCC chief says 'no' to cell phone calls on planes
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai announced Monday that he is terminating the proposal to allow it.
Flying can be a hassle with cramped seats and added fees. But for the foreseeable future you won't have to listen to the passenger next to you yak on their mobile phone.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai announced Monday that he is terminating the FCC's proposal to allow cell phone calls during flights.
In 2013, the FCC considered relaxing rules in effect since the early 1990s banning voice calls on planes, and opened up the plan for public comment. The U.S. Transportation Department floated a proposal to leave it up to individual airlines to decide if they wanted to permit voice calls using onboard Wi-Fi systems.
"I stand with airline pilots, flight attendants, and America's flying public against the FCC's ill-conceived 2013 plan to allow people to make cellphone calls on planes," Pai said in a statement. "I do not believe that moving forward with this plan is in the public interest. Taking it off the table permanently will be a victory for Americans across the country who, like me, value a moment of quiet at 30,000 feet."