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Originally posted by SourGrapes
Well, I can give you my experience w/cell phones on a plane.
A few weeks ago I flew back to Texas for my Grandfather's funeral. I switched planes in Chicago. I forgot to turn off my cell phone after my lay over. It was in my bag, which I put in the overhead compartment. My cell phone kept ringing! I was so embarrassed! I acted like it wasn't mine and tried to ignore it. Three calls later, I finally got up to power it down. Not sure how far up we were, but we were at the altitude which they turn off the seat belt sign.
Originally posted by Bout Time
From my understanding, The tech is available now, but not in 2001.
Originally posted by SourGrapes
Actually, the phones on the planes are cell phones! They certainly are not hard wired!
[edit on 23-2-2005 by SourGrapes]
Originally posted by Bout Time
"And now it's practically here. Airbus, American Airlines and some telecommunications firms have run experiments that they say prove in-flight calls can be made - and received - safely.
It has something to do with installing low-power cell sites right on board the aircraft. These sites will then pick up on-board calls and send them directly to satellites.
So by 2006, the experts predict, I'll be able to phone my friend that I'm aboard an earlier flight than the one he'd planned to meet; tell my wife how close I came to missing the flight; finish the interview I started with a news source, and tell my children to phone me back when they finish the conversations they're having on their cell phones. "
Firstly cell phones were banned in 1991 on FCC initiative in USA. The reason was a probable interference of cell phone with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems. But at that time there were no facts that can prove or disprove that statement. The ban could be considered as a private initiative of airlines and telecommunications companies, which didn't want to lose a revenue from the air-phones installed onboard. Look, a one-minute call in the air was much more expensive than a usual cell phone call and, naturally, people used a cheaper service when they had a choice. The situation was regulated in 1991. Ground carriers had no objections. But we should understand that cellular technologies were not widely spread at that time and revenue of carriers was quite sufficient. It wasn't necessary for them to find other sources to get benefit.
www.mobile-review.com...