H.R. 5788 received approval via voice vote by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and can now move on to consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would make permanent the long-standing ban on onboard use of cell phones by the Federal Aviation Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Cell phone calls have long been prohibited on planes because of fears that they might interfere with the aviation systems onboard or with cellular networks on the ground. This particular bill, however, has emphasized the social repercussions of subjecting unwilling passengers, who are essentially trapped in a large metal tube, to the loud conversations of the overly loquacious. The bill would not ban Internet access or email text-messaging. The progress of H.R. 5788 can be charted online.What’s your take on in-flight cell use? Queries, reactions, and opinions can be posted to the Interference Technology NEBS/Telecom Forum.
In-Flight Cell Phone Ban Approved by Congressional Committee
