The FCC is making an effort to bring faster Internet service to US flights.
The Federal Communications Commission has started deliberating a proposal on a new service that would make Wi-Fi faster and provide better connections on commercial and private flights. Wireless equipment company Qualcomm Inc has been pushing the service for years. The company's in-flight broadband service would open up more radio airwaves for in-flight Internet access, Reuters reports.
Some satellite companies are against the plan because they feat that the broadband service would affect their networks.
However the FCC voted to begin hearing public comments on how the airwaves should be licensed and shared.
"The world simply does not wait for us to get off the plane. We expect information at our fingertips at all times," said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat. "Air travel stands out as one of the few places
where we can't always rely on a connection."
The FCC voted in a 4-0 vote to proceed with the proposal but another vote is necessary before the agency gives final approval.
Some flights already offer Internet service but the speed isn't so great as most systems rely on connections with antennas on the ground or satellites.
Qualcomm, which is being back by US airlines, is excited to take the proposal to the next level.
"This proposal takes the technology to the next level, allowing passengers to use their smartphones, tablets and other mobile broadband devices in the air with very high speed, high capacity mobile broadband connectivity, just as they do on the ground," Qualcomm's Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Dean Brenner said in a statement after the vote.
Currently, Internet access on planes is not permitted during takeoff and landing and passengers are forced to turn off their devices, but the FCC is also considering relaxing that rule. They're working with the Federal Aviation Administration to study the impact of allowing devices to be used at all times.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
