Service providers fighting to get cell calls on airplanes

The European Union has recently lifted a ban on making in-flight calls via cell phone, allowing companies like Emirates Air to launch service on their Dubai-London route, but US regulators are making the road much more difficult for others. The Hang Up Act which is going through the governmental machine right now is yet another hurdle folks like OnAir and AeroMobile will have to clear in order to making their services viable in America. Even once they’ve defeated that demon, the FCC and the FAA also have their own respective bans on in-flight cell calls which telephony providers would have to overcome before they can get started. It’s an uphill battle, and although it might be easy to root for ‘em, a future of airplanes full of people on cell phones could make those long flights feel just a little longer.

[via Washington Post]