Re: NEWS: Europe clears mobiles on aircraft

"Traveling Man" <none@none.com> wrote:
> I totally agree with you, but fear many business travelers, who make up a
> large percentage of the revenue the airlines get, will want to do business
> while flying. Between them and the screaming kids I may go back to Amtrak

I still wonder about the technical feasibility of it when the plane is
flying like 500 MPH over the cell towers. The switching equipment could not
keep up with it.

R. P.

At 10 Apr 2008 20:19:33 -0700 R. P. wrote:

> I still wonder about the technical feasibility of it when the plane is
> flying like 500 MPH over the cell towers. The switching equipment
> could not keep up with it.


True, but I suspect the system is an onboard "cell" connected by radio to a
specific ground system then connected to the network from their, much the
same way cruise ships have their own system connected by satellite to the
"real world."

I also suspect, much like cruise ships, it won't be free (unless it's
"sponsored" by a particular wireless company who gives their own customers
a break)- I suspect users will be roaming at usurious "GE Airphone"-like
rates!

"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote:
> I also suspect, much like cruise ships, it won't be free (unless it's
> "sponsored" by a particular wireless company who gives their own
> customers
> a break)- I suspect users will be roaming at usurious "GE
> Airphone"-like
> rates!

Well, the system you described requires almost similar
infrastructure enhancements for the airlines as the Airphone does and
the airlines would want to recover that cost. So they would be justified
to charge those higher fees. But hey, at least that should cut back on
the teenager chit-chat during flights. Personally though, I would have
no objection to cell phone use in planes while still on ground. That
should be doable without any assistance from the airlines and thus
should not cost more than a regular cell phone call.

R. P.

R. P. wrote:

> "Traveling Man" <none@none.com> wrote:
>> I totally agree with you, but fear many business travelers, who make up a
>> large percentage of the revenue the airlines get, will want to do business
>> while flying. Between them and the screaming kids I may go back to Amtrak
>
> I still wonder about the technical feasibility of it when the plane is
> flying like 500 MPH over the cell towers. The switching equipment could not
> keep up with it.

"A few U.S. airlines have announced plans to allow mobile phones to be
used on aircraft, pending approval by the FCC and the FAA. The method is
similar to that used in some cars on the German ICE train: the aircraft
will contain a device known as a picocell. It will act as a miniature
mobile telephone tower, communicating with mobile phones within the
aircraft, and relaying the signals to either satellites or a
terrestrial-based system. The picocell will be designed and maintained
for full compatibility with the rest of the on-board avionics.
Communication between the picocell and the rest of the telephone network
will be on separate frequencies that do not interfere with either the
cellular system or the aircraft's avionics, much like the on-board phone
systems already aboard many commercial aircraft." [...]

"On 20 March 2008, Emirates Airline flights began allowing voice calls
in-flight on some commercial airline flights."

"The approval by EASA of these systems has established that GSM phones
on certified aircraft types are considered safe to use when installed
with a on-board cellular picocell."

"On 26 March 2008 Ofcom approved the use of mobile phone-supporting
picocells aboard aircraft in the United Kingdom. Airline companies will
have to equip the aircraft with picocells and apply for licenses."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_on_aircraft

--
Dutch