WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (AFP) - US telecom regulators began on Wednesday to ponder whether ending a ban on in-flight cell-phone calls would jeopardize safety or simply vex other passengers.
"There are various scenarios, we have to choose the one that makes most sense when provided to the public," said FCC commissioner Katheen Abernathy.
The Federal Communications Commission, which governs US telephone, television and radio networks, has yet to make a decision, but has opened the matter for comment so professionals, corporations and pressure groups can sound off on the idea.
"We have to see if we can go beyond the problems of interference and safety," commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said.
The FCC requires that cell-phones be turned off upon take-off to avoid interference with terrestrial cellular systems. It also cites passenger safety as its top priority.
The Federal Aviation Administration bans the calls to avoid interference with onboard communications and navigation equipment.
However, the FCC also wonders how much conflict the phones could trigger among passengers confined in a jetliner cabin at 30,000 feet.
"I'm not thrilled to hear conversations," Abernathy said.
"It's like the old days when (passengers sat in) smoking and not smoking."
Just the same, Adelstein said, "To communicate wherever possible ... everyone has an interest in it."
A cell-phone system designed for on-board use would create a monopoly, the FCC feared.
"There are risks that it creates a monopoly if one (company) bids enough," commissioner Michael Copps said.
"There'll be no choice for passengers, it will be a feast for the monopoly but a famine for passengers," he said, because creation of an in-flight network would not be similar enough to terrestrial networks to allow competition.
12/15/2004 20:29 GMT - AFP