*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 46207.doc* Federal Communications Commission FCC 04- 288 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS RE: Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Use of Cellular Telephones and other Wireless Devices Aboard Airborne Aircraft (NPRM). We consider the airborne cellular NPRM today. In it we ask for comment on whether we should relax the rules that prohibit using mobile phones on airplanes. There is good and bad in this NPRM. On one hand, I am glad that we are exploring whether technology has evolved so that the technical limitations that led us to establish this interference rule are no longer necessary. On the other side of the scale, many airline passengers don’t relish the idea of sitting next to someone yelling into their cell phones for an entire six hour flight. I know I don’t! So I hope that consumers as well as companies will participate fully in this NPRM and let us know what they think. Meanwhile, we here at the Commission need to determine precisely what jurisdiction the FCC has over the annoying- seatmate issue. If we are limited to an exploration of the interference environment, we must ensure that some authority, maybe the airline, is empowered to control the problem. Thanks to WTB and OET for their hard and good work. 1