A View from Abroad

Why Is The US Gov't Stalling on Cell Phones In Planes?

Look, it's not that I am enthusiastic about cell phone usage on planes -- I actually look forward to long-haul travel because of the down time it affords me -- but let's face it, it's coming.  It's inevitable.  So why is the US government (or, more specifically, the FCC) stalling?

Before I launch into this next rant, full disclosure is necessary:  I went to college with the current FCC chairman, Kevin Martin, at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Not only did I go to college with him -- I am still miffed at him, as he conducted a campaign for student body president against my dear friend, Bill Yelverton, that (IMHO) was a stunning template for future presidential campaigns -- that is to say, ugly.  Guess I blew my chance to learn from that & become a professional chief of staff.  Oh well.

Okay, back to the topic at hand:  so why this lameness?  The FCC claims that these gadgets create electronic interference -- but can't we test this, and more importantly, shouldn't we be testing this?  I mean, if they can, shouldn't planes be overhauled or upgraded or whatever, to protect the passengers?  How many of us have forgotten to turn off our cell phones during a flight?  And how long until somebody with a grudge and a death wish decides to tinker around to see if they can bring a plane down this way?

Interestingly, the ban is cheaper and easier for airlines, carriers and the government than getting organized and making an effort to show some political backbone and actual chutzpah to legalize using cell phones on planes. 

Mike Elgan of ComputerWorld does a far better job of drawing out the arguments than I do here -- see his article "Why Cell Phones Are Still Grounded" for more.

Oh, and yes, he doesn't still have an axe to grind with Kevin.

Emirate Airlines To Okay Cell Phone Use

Emirates airline plans to launch mobile phone usage in its planes in January, making it the first airline to allow passengers to make cell phone calls on its flights.  Not only that, but the cost of calls made in-flight on Emirates will be in line with international roaming rates -- as low as $1 to $2 a minute -- though rates vary by mobile carrier and by location. 

In the U.S., carriers don't allow in-flight cell phone calls.  The FAA is still reviewing the safety concerns associated with mobile calls made in the air, and has asked a committee to conduct a study looking at whether portable electronic devices like cell phones interfere with aircraft navigation systems. Findings of the study are due at the end of December.

Not to be outdone, Australian carrier Qantas plans to start evaluating technology that lets fliers use their cell phones and PDAs during flight early next year.

Details here.

Air France Denies iPod Story

Showing a special flare for marketing, especially in light of the Zune launch, AF has supposedly denied the iPod connectivity story ... anyone have the link in English?  I've been searching all over.

Xmas Early: iPod Integration with In-Flight Entertainment

Thank you, Santa Claus, it's in-flight iPod connectivity!  Starting in mid-2007, Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United Airlines will allow passengers to plug iPods into in-flight entertainment services -- which means we can view iPod videos on seat-back displays and charge them!  The connection will also allow passengers listen to music on some airlines' noise-cancellation headsets.  Annoyingly self-congratulatory press release from United here.

Connexion By Boeing Resurrected?

Is Panasonic's avionics division going to relaunch Connexion by Boeing?  Rumor has it that they will do so using similar technology that's better, cheaper, and lighter.  The company said today that they were looking to get airlines to commit to 500 planes within 60 days, and already had 150 aircraft committed.