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The US Federal Communications Commission has approved a plan to allow airlines to offer in-flight wireless data service, although it may be some time before such service becomes commercially available. The plan calls for air-to-ground radio transmissions to carry data hookups from inside the cabin, although how such transmissions will be allocated remains to be seen.
Currently the only communication mechanism within US aircraft is in-plane phones, over which Verizon Airfone now has a monopoly after two other companies pulled out of that service. Verizon Airfone, of course, argues that a single company with a natural monopoly would guarantee the best service quality. Others such as aircraft manufacturer Boeing argue that the FCC should allow two companies to offer such service to avoid the pricing issues that invariably result from monopolies. The FCC will make a decision on the matter sometime next year when it decides how it will auction off wireless spectrum, and to whom, to offer such services.
In-flight wireless service is not expected on commercial domestic flights until 2006. The FCC announced earlier this week that it was also considering the possibility of lifting the in-flight ban on mobile phones. The Association of Flight Attendants, however, has recommended against lifting the ban due to interference concerns as well as making it more difficult for flight staff to understand passenger requests to do basic noise interference from chatty callers.
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