14 DAY TRIAL // After previously considering lifting the ban, recently the FCC has released a Memorandum Opinion and Order that terminates its proceeding on the use of cell phones on airplanes.
During December 2004, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that examined the existing rule that requires passengers to turn off their cell phones once an aircraft leaves the ground, in order to avoid any interference with the cellular network systems on the ground.
The Federal Aviations Administration regulations also restrict the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices on a plane to be sure to avoid any kind of interference with the aircraft's navigation and communication systems.
The comments that were filed in response to the NPRM provide insufficient technical information on whether using a mobile phone while aboard a plane can cause harmful interferences to terrestrial networks or not. Thus, FCC found that it would be premature to seek further comment and is determined that its proceedings on this issue should be terminated at this time. Airlines, phone manufacturers and wireless carriers are still researching the use of cell phones onboard aircraft and the FCC may reconsider this issue at a later time if appropriate technical data is available.
Nevertheless, this means that the use of mobile phones isn't and won't be allowed anytime soon. To keep this ban might actually be a good decision. While mobile phone use could prove to be safe, until such facts are presented, it wouldn't really be worth the risk. Also, according to a survey, most passengers stated that they preferred the ban to be kept, believing that in-flight mobile phone use can be disruptive.