Page 2 February 2, 2017 Finance U.S.Skies from front page like the cabin quiet and free of loud talking. Allowing Wi-Fi technology aboard planes would “create air rage incidents by disgruntled passengers, place additional strains on flight attendances, and intrude on privacy and opportunities to sleep,” passengers and organizations warned the federal transit agency. Despite the almost unanimous opposition by the flying public and pilots and attendants, the Transportation Department has come back with a more nuanced proposal that reads like in-flight phone conversations are a foregone conclusion. Like before, the DOT is asking for public comment. Transportation officials say they’re aiming to protect passengers with a new proposal to require domestic airlines to tell customers before they book a seat that phone service is going to be available. The cost of in-flight phone service is expensive, yet regulators believe that Wi-Fi operators will find ways to lower the costs as technology is introduced. Even the Federal Communications Commission, which hasn’t wavered on the restriction of nearly three decades ago, says it will reconsider. This more-nuanced rule would regulate voice calls on an aircraft as a “matter of consumer protection, rather than … ensuring aviation safety or preventing cellular interference with ground networks,” the DOT explained. It leaves open the possibility the public and unions again will reject the idea without specifying if the department will be guided by public opinion this time around. The department is asking again whether to forbid the airlines from allowing voice calls to be made at all with a mobile wireless device, even one that uses a different frequency than a cell phone. Public comment on the proposed rule document, Use of Mobile Wireless Devices for Voice Calls on Aircraft, closes on February 13. Comments can be left at http://www.regulations.gov/ document?D=DOT-OST-2014-0002-2829. The Federal Communication Commission, one of three federal agencies that oversees the airline industry, doesn’t prohibit voice calls over Wi-Fi--only certain commercial mobile bands. U.S. carriers have the capability to permit passengers to make and take calls in-flight via Wi-Fi, according to the DOT filing. It adds that international carriers report no problems among passengers because of loud talking on calls--and the high cost of the service ensures most conversations are brief. Another option the airlines could adopt eventually as a compromise is to allow “listen-only” calls where business passengers could participate silently in a conference call. Business travelers, aware of the discomfort other nearby passengers could experience from a two-way call in a meeting, suggested airlines and regulators consider the less intrusive call service. Airlines could set their own policies for passengers about in-flight phone calls, under the new proposal. Carriers that don’t allow phone service would not need to tell customers. However, domestic airlines that adopt a Wi-Fi phone technology would be required to give advance notice, the Transportation Department said. An exemption is given to an airliner with 60 or fewer seats. “Permitting passengers to make voice calls onboard aircraft may create an environment that is unfair and deceptive” to the other passengers who prefer a quiet cabin, the DOT rule says. Voice calls over a mobile wireless device could be acceptable to federal airline and transportation authorities, the DOT says. Passengers who switch to Wi-Fi mode on their cell phones, computers, tablets, and other portable electronic devices wouldn’t pose a risk to the safety of the aircraft, according to officials. The proposal includes Voice over Internet Protocol, which some businesses use instead of the phone companies. One airline is on record opposing the government’s regulation of voice calls in-air, even though the carrier says it has no plans to introduce phone service in its fleet. Budget carrier Spirit Airlines told the DOT three years ago that airlines themselves should decide whether to notify customers about the possibility of midair phone conversations by other passengers in the cabin. It took a position that the passengers can decide whether to fly or avoid certain airlines, based on their phone policies. Federal officials here admittedly are trying to see which way the wind is blowing, and if more American travelers wish to spend their time in the air talking on a phone or listening to someone else’s conversation. A spot check of the comments filed with the DOT since last month shows that people’s attitudes haven’t changed. They prefer a cozy, quiet cabin 30,000 feet above the hustle bustle of business deals and personal dramas back at home. “U.S. consumer have come to expect a voice-call-free cabin environment,” the department’s review suggests. “They may generally hold a different view from foreign consumers on the issue of voice calls.” The closest thing U.S. fliers have to two-way communication is texting from the sky. Alaska Airlines this month announced the launch of a free service that allows passengers to send text messages in midair. Called Free Chat, the Wi-Fi messaging service is available on all but five of Alaska’s 737s and requires apps such as iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. There’s still no texting allowed using a cell-phone service, the airline said. • Five Easy Tactics For Making Your New Year’s Resolution to Save Money A Reality (BPT) - It’s almost that time of year again - you prepare for the holidays and start thinking about what you want your New Year’s resolution to be. According to research from Nielsen, one quarter of Americans want to spend less and save more money in the New Year. If you’re one of these people, follow these five easy tips to stay on track financially in 2017. Automate Payments into Your Savings Account When payday rolls around, it can be tempting to pocket every last dollar. But realistically, it’s difficult to save money that’s right in front if you. Instead, automate payments into your savings account before it makes it to your checking account. This way, you won’t miss it from your budget, and you’ll be on the road to staying true to your New Year’s resolution all year. Dine In Everyone knows eating out is more expensive than dining in, but you might not even realize how often you’re doing it. When you’re on the go, buying lunch or ordering take-out, costs quickly add up. Pre-planning and preparing meals for the week ahead will not only save money but help you eat healthier at the same time. Rethink Your Wireless Plan Do you feel like you’re paying too much for your data? In 2017, set yourself free from your overpriced wireless plan. For only $40 a month, Net10 Wireless’ no contract cell service makes this easy. You’ll get nationwide coverage on one of America’s top four networks and the first 3 GB of data at high speeds, then at 2G*. Plus, you can make the switch while keeping your current phone and number with the Net10 Wireless Bring Your Own Phone program. “Ringing” in the New Year is all about making changes for the better, and switching your plan could save you lots in the long run. Bring the Gym Home Exercising is important, but monthly gym membership fees can make a huge dent in your savings. Instead, try working out at home for a few months by following exercise videos, running outside (weather permitting) or modifying your favorite utilizing home items. If that’s not enough, try pay-per-class offerings coupled with your own exercise outside of the gym. Cut Out Your Cable Bill Similar to spending too much on a cell data contract, your monthly cable bills could also be hindering your financial goals. How often do you really watch specialty channels anyway? Opting for monthly streaming services can cost you as low as $7.99 per month while offering the same programs and movies you love. Meanwhile, the average cable bill is $99 per month. Making the switch could save you more than $1,000 per year, which just goes to show how sticking to your New Year’s resolution can pay off. *At 2G speeds, the functionality of some data applications, such as streaming audio or video may be affected. Please refer always to the latest Terms and Conditions of Service at NET10wireless.com. • Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub SBA loans. Business credit lines. Cash management services. Commercial RE, construction and equipment loans. Tiffany Clyne Senior Vice President 310.321.3282 tclyne@grandpointbank.com 1960 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 1200 El Segundo, CA 90245 grandpointbank.com Five-Star Superior Rating by BauerFinancial
MBSun_020217_lorez
To see the actual publication please follow the link above