http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121504dnbusinternet.1044f129.html

"Federal regulators voted Wednesday to give airline passengers high-speed Internet connections while they fly.

The unanimous vote by the Federal Communications Commission means air travelers could be surfing the Web by 2006."

...

"The FCC approved a measure to restructure how frequencies for such "air-to-ground" services are used and allow the airlines to offer wireless high-speed Internet connections."

...

"The FCC also voted to solicit comments from the public about ending the ban on in-flight use of cell phones. Among the issues to consider are whether passengers want to be surrounded by cell phone conversations. "

"The timeline on when air travelers would be able to start using cell phones in flight is murkier, in part because both the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration ban the practice.

The FCC took up the issue Wednesday in an effort to start public discussion, and commissioners might eventually relax the rules or lift the ban entirely. Of most concern to FCC officials is how using a cell phone in an airplane would interfere with cell phone use on the ground. "

...

Overall, good news, IMHO. I do pray that cell phones will NOT be allowed, however.