US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Julius Genachowski has sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting more relaxed restrictions on the use of electronic devices, such as tablets, e-readers and other portable devices, during takeoff and landing.
“This review comes at a time of tremendous innovation, as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives,” Genachowski wrote in the letter, which was picked up by political blog The Hill. “They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost US competitiveness.”
The FCC’s current rules prohibit the use of cellular phones using the 800MHz frequency and other wireless devices on airborne aircraft. The ban was put in place because of potential interference to wireless networks on the ground, according to the organisation’s website.
Earlier this year, the FAA formed a government industry group to study the current policies and procedures aircraft operators use to determine when these devices can be used safely during flight. Current FAA regulations require an aircraft operator to determine that radio-frequency interference from PEDs is not a flight safety risk before the operator authorises them for use during certain phases of flight.
The group, established through an Aviation Rulemaking Committee, will meet for six months and will include representatives from the mobile technology and aviation manufacturing industries, pilot and flight attendant groups, airlines and passenger associations.
The request from Genachowski is not the first time the FCC has attempted to move forward on the issue of in-flight use of PEDs. In March 2007, the FCC terminated a proceeding that it began in late 2004 to consider potentially lifting the ban.
At that time, the FCC determined that “the technical information provided by interested parties” in response to the proposal was insufficient to determine whether in-flight use of wireless devices on aircraft could cause harmful interference to wireless networks on the ground. Therefore, it decided at that time to make no changes in the rules prohibiting in-flight use of PEDs.
Do you know all about public sector IT – the triumph and the tragedy? Take our quiz!
German foreign minister warns Russia will face consequences for “absolutely intolerable” cyberattack on ruling party,…
Google is reportedly laying off at least 200 staff from its “Core” organisation, including key…
Investor appeasement? Apple unveils huge $110 billion share buyback program, as sales of iPhone decline…
Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant
No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…
Microsoft's AI investments continue in south east Asia, after investments in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as…