Mexican authorities to allow mobile phone calls on commerical flights

Good news! The Mexican FCC just canceled directive NOM-019SCT3-2001!

Sure, I'll forgive you if you have no idea what this means (I didn't either at first). The directive was a 2001 piece of law banning the use of mobile phones on commercial planes.

This means passengers will be legally permitted to yap away on their phones during "certain phases" of flight. The source article does not mention what those "certain phases" are, but it is probably just a way of saying you can use your phone after the take off and landing phase.

There is of course one small snag in this plan - no Mexican carriers actually offer inflight calling technology, and once you get above 10,000 feet, you won't be in range of any cell towers. That said - it is probably just a matter of time till the airlines start seeing Peso bills, and install the equipment required to make calls. Other airlines that introduced inflight calling, did so with rates of about $4 per minute. You thought $12.95 for WiFi was too much? Try paying $20 for a call back home telling people what a great time you are having.

So far, US law still prohibits the use of mobile phones in flight, and if US Congressman Peter DeFazio has his way, that isn't about to change any time soon. His ridiculously named 'Hang-Up act" (Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace) is trying to convince the FCC that removing the ban will kill air travel for everyone.

So dear readers, what do you think of inflight mobile phone calls?



(Via: Engadget)

Filed under: North America, Mexico, Airlines