Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission voted to loosen rules on cellphone usage on airplanes. As discussed in this article, passengers on domestic flights will be allowed to make mobile phone calls, text, and send email. The law is expected to take effect in mid-2015. As the FCC works on pushing legislation through Congress, and as some prominent voices argue that the FCC has no business making regulatory decisions about cellphones on planes, we must ask ourselves: Will the FCC really leave it to airlines to decide if phones will be allowed? If it does, will this be the end of passengers stifling their cellphone conversations? Or will they agree to back away and just read books? The devices the FCC is now supporting, which include products that can alter planes’ in-flight entertainment systems so people can still watch movies and listen to music but not make phone calls, do not work for international flights. In light of that, will any airline currently allow any passengers to make cellphone calls internationally?
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