In the past few weeks, it has become clear that a small percentage of the American public, and some politicians, really don't like the idea of passengers being able to use cell phones during flights. The debate was triggered by the US Federal Communications Commission examining its 22 year-old ban on the use of cell phones on planes.

Mobile OnAir has been flying for six years and in December 2013 almost one million people used our networks, including a number of Americans, who use our services daily. In all that time, there hasn't been one single complaint about disturbance caused by the use of cell phones, including voice calls.

The most important point to note is that usage patterns onboard aircraft are very similar as those on ground when we travel. Only around 10% of total Mobile OnAir usage is voice. 60% of usage is data, which includes emailing and updating social media. The remaining 30% is text messaging. Allowing cell phones use during flights will become valuable to the US airlines in the coming years, particularly since the rest of the world has already embraced this technology. Cell phones are becoming a tool no one can be without.

Cabin crew and pilots can turn off the system and the voice element whenever they choose. They typically do so during quiet times or during safety announcements. Some airlines choose to disable voice permanently.

I expect the FCC to lift its ban and ultimately airlines in the US will introduce cell phone services. At that point, we will help airlines provide exactly the service they and their passengers want.

Sincerely,

Ian Dawkins  

The FCC has embarked on a public consultation about the proposed rule change which will close on or before March 17, following two comment cycles. The likely timing for adoption of new rules by the FCC, permitting cell phone use on planes, would fall in the second half of 2014, following more than100 national telecommunications regulatory authorities that already permit inflight cell phone usage. Before any passenger can use their cell phones during a flight, the FAA will need to certify the equipment and airlines would then need to install the necessary hardware.

Whilst some Senators and Congressmen have suggested proposed legislation that would ban voice calls, the Department of Transportation intends to make new rules through the FAA, which would address the question of inflight voice calls.