FCC To Review Relaxing Cell Phone Ban In AirplanesFCC To Review Relaxing Cell Phone Ban In Airplanes

The ban against the use of cellular phones in airplanes in flight will be examined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with an eye towards relaxing the restriction.

In an announcement, the FCC said it will take up the issue at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday to discuss an "amendment of the Commission's rules to facilitate the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices aboard airborne aircraft."

If the FCC decides the idea has merit, it likely will schedule a period of public discussion. Currently, cell phone users are generally permitted to use their phones in airplanes before takeoff and after landing.

The ban--along with some restrictions on other electronic gear including notebook computers--has been in effect for several years because of fears that the equipment could interfere with planes' navigation systems.

Occasionally, users have pressed their cell phones into service in emergencies--for instance, several passengers on the hijacked planes during the September 11 terrorist attacks completed calls on their cell phones before the planes crashed.

Many passenger airplanes are equipment with special Airfones that enable passengers to make air-to-ground calls. At the same meeting next week, the FCC will consider an application by Verizon Airfone to renew a license for its 800-MHz Air-Ground radiotelephone.