DOT Regulation Supports FAA and FCC Decision to Allow In-Flight Phone Use
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking comments on whether it should support both the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in their decision to allow in-flight cellphone use. The FAA originally announced it would allow “Portable Electronic Devices” to be used on flights in October 2013, but left it to the FCC to allow cellphone use specifically (cellphones are under FCC jurisdiction). The FCC issued its proposal to allow cellphone use on airplanes in January 2014 and the DOT issued a rule supporting it two months later.
Though the DOT supports the FCC and FAA, they feel their authority and responsibility related to aviation consumer protection requires them to seek additional protection. Specifically, DOT wants to require airlines to notify passengers if they are going to allow the use of cellphones on the flight, to help protect passengers, “from being unwillingly exposed to voice calls within the confines of an aircraft.” Comments on this controversial DOT regulation are due by February 13, 2017, so comment now!
The post DOT Regulation Supports FAA and FCC Decision to Allow In-Flight Cellphone Use appeared first on #Fedfeed.
