US Congress Grounds Plans For In-Flight Mobiles
Miraculously the US succeeds where the UK and Europe has not, where a law to maintain the Federal Aviation Authority’s restrictions on mobile phone calls during flights is going forward to a House of Representatives vote.
The Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act was approved by the Transportation Committee not for safety concerns, but rather one of preserving the sanity and sanctity of air travellers. Yes, that is the acroynm for a serious law. The HANG UP Act.
The HANG UP Act still allows for texts and e-mails, which are quiet and nice. However, companies like OnAir who were hoping to build on the success of Ofcom permitting equipment for flying phones in Europe will be a tad upset.
These new systems which are being installed at huge expense would not be immune to the US legislation if passed, which would mean air silence on Transatlantic voyages. To think the United States would be the voice of reason in such a situation…
Source: The Register