If you're still wondering what the Federal Communications Commission announcement of its proposal to allow in-flight cellphone calls and data usage actually means, we now know a bit more.
On Friday, the FCC revealed more details about its proposal to allow cellphone usage during flights. The commission also clarified that, in the end, it will be in the airline companies' hands to decide whether to let us call our loved ones while we are at 10,000 feet or above. So don't get your keypad ready just yet.
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The FCC is aware of the fact that phones, unlike gadgets used to read e-books or work in-flight, are more controversial and, potentially, much more annoying. In fact, FCC's own commissioner, Tom Wheeler, appears to feel that way.
"We understand that many passengers would prefer that voice calls not be made on airplanes. I feel that way myself," Wheeler said in a statement to reporters. 
The final decision, in any case, will rest in the hands of each individual airline.
"If — and only if — an airline decides to allow passengers to do so, would in-flight calls be permitted," reads an FCC blog post on the matter.
The FCC also clarified that it is not endorsing an overall rule change to let people make cellphone calls. By default, cellphone calls will still be prohibited, according to an FAQ emailed to reporters.
The proposal is simply opening up the possibility, since there is no longer a technological reason to bar cellphone usage anymore. The rule prohibiting cellphone calls in-flight was adopted 20 years ago to prevent interference with networks on the ground, and modern technologies that can be installed on airplanes now circumvent that issue, the FCC explained.
"We have an outdated rule on our books that has been overtaken by advances in technology. If the technological justification for our existing prohibition is no longer valid, then it is our responsibility to examine ways to update and modernize the rules," read the blog post.
So, ultimately, the FCC is saying that there is no technological reason to continue prohibiting phone communication, but it will be up to the airlines to finally let us make that call. Or not.
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Image: Mashable composite. Image: iStockphoto, anouchka