US airline wins license for in-flight phone, Internet services

US airline JetBlue Airways won a government auction for wireless spectrum that could be used to provide in-flight telephone, Internet, or entertainment services, an Associated Press report said.

The report said the winning bid of $7.02 million was placed through New York-based JetBlue's entertainment subsidiary, LiveTV, which provided DirecTV service on JetBlue flights.

The report further said the 1Mhz frequency band sold by the Federal Communications Commission was nationwide and not limited to JetBlue aircraft, opening the possibility that LiveTV would offer the service to other airlines.

Because of FCC rules, auction participants had been unable to reveal their plans for the spectrum. JetBlue representatives did not immediately return calls, the report said.