Could Be On Board By 2006

Defrag the laptop and whip out your wireless network card. It's time to go flying.

Well, not just yet. But the FCC Wednesday voted without dissent to put broadband access on commercial passenger flights. That service could begin as early as 2006.

"If there is a theme for this meeting, it is that we want (new technologies) on the land, in the air, and on the sea" FCC Chairman Michael Powell said after the meeting. "We are pushing the frontiers in order to bring the information age to all corners of the world."

That could also include ending the ban on cell phones in the sky. The commission voted to accept comments on that possibility. Commissioners said it may not be the slam-dunk you think it would be.

"The ability to communicate is a vital one, but good cell phone etiquette is also essential," Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said, quoted by the Associated Press. "Our job is to see if this is possible and then let consumers work out the etiquette."

The idea of offering cell and internet service to passengers can't come too soon for airlines, who see the services as new potential revenue streams. At a time when the airlines are financially strugging, there's every incentive to make sure passengers stay connected.

FMI: www.fcc.gov, www.faa.gov