Regulations In the United States
In the United States, the use of portable electronic devices on airplanes is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). At present, the FCC prohibits the use of mobile phones that transmit at the 800 MHz frequency during flight because of the possible interference with wireless systems on the ground. This is because of the rate at which airplanes are traveling through cells. The main concern of the FCC is that when cellular phones are used in-flight they will transmit at a high power level in order to communicate with base stations on the ground. The FAA supports this restriction. Cell phone signals can also interfere with the onboard communications and navigation systems since they rely on radio signals. The FAA advises airlines that if this technology is to be used at all, it would only be safe to operate at altitudes of 10,000 feet or higher. Most serious problems due to interference would occur at lower altitudes only. In addition to this, the FCC has received around 8,000 comments from individuals opposed to overturning the band on using cell phones on board as well as a formally filed opposition form the Flight Attendant Association. This is because people feel cell phone use could cause annoyance among other passengers and lead to a severe rise in rage among those annoyed.
