FCC: Allow Wireless Internet on Planes

The FCC board overwhelmingly voted in favor of allowing high-speed Internet on airline flights Wednesday. The vote opens the door for wireless access on commercial flights by 2006.

"If there is a theme for this meeting, it is that we want (new technologies) on the land, in the air, and on the sea," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said. "We are pushing the frontiers in order to bring the information age to all corners of the world." Part of the ruling also opened for public comment a proposal to lift the in-flight cell phone use ban.

At issue is if passengers want to deal with chatty cell phone users during a flight, which Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein says is not their job. "Our job is to see if this is possible and then let consumers work out the etiquette."

Verizon would also have a direct interest in the final ruling in this matter. Verizon Airfone is the only in-flight phone service available, and carries a steep price tag of $3.99/minute. Opening up flights to cell phones would almost certainly signal the end of such a service.

However, Verizon is making movements to control whatever high-speed Internet that would eventually become available.