Transportation Department Mulls Airplane Cellphone Ban as FCC Prepares to Lift Its Own
Mulling one step forward, mulling one step back
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 today to move forward on rescinding a long-standing ban on the use of cellphones on airplanes, but that doesn't mean the government is ready to leave that decision up to the airlines. The Department of Transportation may impose its own ban.
As one part of the federal government looks to remove restrictions on making phone calls from airplanes, another agency is apparently considering its own prohibition.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thomas Wheeler told members of Congress that while his agency sees no technical reason to ban calls on planes, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told him Thursday morning that the DOT will be moving forward with its own restrictions.
One step forward, one step back.
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