FCC Votes to Allow In-Flight Calls, But...

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to end a ban on in-flight calls, but Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation are considering proposals that could make that irrelevant.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the hearing Thursday that airlines would still largely be allowed to make up their own policies regarding how passengers use cellphones during flight.

"Where there is new onboard technology that eliminates that potential for interference, there is no need for an interference rule," Wheeler said. "We are the expert technical agency, and new technology removes the technical justification of this rule." Read more...