The FCC won’t let you talk on your cell in the air

In 2013, the FCC proposed relaxing rules that banned voice calls on cell phones from airplanes. After opening up the proposal to public comment, Chairman Wheeler was met with a wave of derision from consumers and travelers who wanted silence while they were on an airplane. The FCC under the previous administration noted that the ban was “technologically unfounded” and should be open to public comment.

But, the public were clearly against sitting next to a stranger talking on a phone while on a plane. It seems the new FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, agrees with the public comments and the proposal will not move forward.

Pai, in a statement around the proposal said, “I do not believe that moving forward with this plan is in the public interest. Taking it off the table permanently will be a victory for Americans across the country who, like me, value a moment of quiet at 30,000 feet.”