Cingular Opposes Calls on Airplanes

Cingular, the largest cell phone service provider here in America, has asked the FAA to ban in-flight phone calls, instead encouraging the use of text messaging.

USA Today and CNN are both reporting that Cingular has sent a letter to the FAA and the Federal Communications Commission requesting they leave a ban on in flight phone calls. If the ban is lifted, then Cingular will still encourage their customers to use text messaging instead of making calls while in the air.

Cingular spokeswoman Rochelle Cohen told USA Today ”that people talking loudly or incessantly on cell phones in trains, restaurants or other closed venues is a constant source of grousing by its customers.”

Verizon is backing up Cingular’s stance on this by saying there is not a big enough market for cell phones on planes because it would be hard to listen to a conversation.

Last month the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) filed a report with the FCC pushing for the use of cell phones on planes.

Boeing’s, Connexion unit announced that they expect to be selling cell phone services to airline passengers sometime in 2006.