Most readers will likely recall that, late last year, the FCC invited comments (and replies) on whether the Commission should lift its regulatory ban against cell phone use in airplanes. Not surprisingly, the FCC’s proposal attracted considerable attention. To date, more than 1,300 comments have already been filed in the docket.

Reply comments were originally due by March 17. Not anymore.

At the request of CTIA-The Wireless Association® and two aeronautics-related companies (AeroMobile Communications Limited and Panasonic Avionics Corporation), the deadline for replies has been extended a generous 60 days (to May 16, 2014). The extension will enable all parties to conduct further analyses and undertake further consultation relative to the thorny technical issues on the table. It will also give interested parties time to sift through the ever-growing pile of comments already submitted.