FCC hits brakes on in-flight calling (for now)

The seemingly never-ending "will they or won't they" saga involving the FCC, the FAA, airlines, mobile carriers, and the extraordinarily annoying plane passenger sitting next to you has taken another unexpected turn this week. On the heels of a CTIA study suggesting that so-called "picocells" placed on planes to communicate with phones won't completely eliminate paralyzing interference with ground towers, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin suggesting that the feds should hold off on lifting the in-flight calling ban. Apparently, the big issue revolves around phones operating on bands that aren't supported by the installed picocell; in the absence of that local communication, the handset goes right back to mussin' and fussin' with the traditional towers several miles below -- potentially with disastrous effects to the network and other users, never mind the fact that no one's managed to conclusively prove that aircraft systems won't be affected. For what it's worth, the chairman's suggestion is just that -- a suggestion -- and doesn't prevent the agency's commissioners from approving the move anyway. While we're the first to agree that the thought of a couple hundred passengers yakking away in tight quarters is a starkly frightening one, we're not sure it's the FCC's place to be legislating away annoyances -- let the feds do their technical due diligence, we say. Word has it the picocells can be tweaked to fix the CTIA's concerns, and if that holds up, airlines will decide individually whether to let customers dial (or, at the very least, access data services) mid-flight. From there, we'll all be voting with our dollars.

[Via Techdirt]

[Kev50027 @ Mar 22nd 2007 7:20PM]

This is retarded. Exactly what type of interference do phones create other than the trotting horse effect?

Not that I support cell phones on planes (other than in private aviation), but how much damage can a harmless phone do?

[Revrant2394 @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:33PM]

Well most pilots and co-pilots rely so heavily on instruments and auto-pilot that cell phones can create a bevy of problems.

An episode of MythBusters handled this, and indeed, as rare an occurrence as it is(One they couldn't replicate), it has happened before, it's the price of automation.

[micrors4racer @ Mar 22nd 2007 7:35PM]

Well, my ipod will change volumes, flash its screen, and other things when i put my motorola close enough. I wouldn't want that happening with anything related to keeping a plane in the air.

[meeeee @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:20PM]

this was on the mythbusters before. no matter what they tried they could not get a cell phone to interfere with any kind of instruments on board an airplane. they are so well shielded from any kind of interference that a cell phone of any kind would not disrupt them in anyway, not saying that a phone in the future could not interfere. and your ipod is not nearly as well shielded against em radiation as an airplane so comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:45PM]

What the heck? That's messed up, that's just because the iPod is crud and it must not be shielded or something. I've never had any issues with other electronic devices near my cell, and I have 2 ipods, along with 6 other mp3 players, 3 PDAs, and 2 cell phones.

[John Doe @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:59PM]

Bullshit. Cell phones effect monitors all the time. Try putting your cell next to or under a CRT. Watch it flicker. Better yet put a blackberry there. Watch your screengo nuts. I get these tech support calls all the time.
"there is something wrong with my screen. Its flickering ever so often".

"OK do you have your BB cradle next to the screen?"

"Yep"

"Move it a foot to the left."

"Ohhh. Its gone now."

[Mr. B @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:03PM]

Why is a technological argument even necessary. Plane flights would be absolutely unbearable if everyone could carry on a phone conversation. If this ever is allowed, I hope the airlines charge $5.00 a minute.

[catfish @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:11PM]

texting on planes: good

talking on planes: I value my sanity thank you very much.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:52PM]

My brother is a pilot, he has his IFR, commercial, VFR (of course), and instructional ratings, yet he still uses his cell in a private plane at times with no harm done. My father is also a pilot.

I've asked my brother before about it, and he doesn't seem to worried about cell phones in planes, yet he's pretty damn competent when he's in the pilot's seat, and he really knows what he's doing.

[Yeah8a8y @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:01PM]

It's absolute balls... Phone's are now approved for operation in hospitals cause they don't cause interference...

Again this is just becasue people don't want everyone on the mobile constantly while on a plane, and in my opinion rightly so...

Mythbusters, my arse...

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:25PM]

Um, question? Kev? How is your brother doing that (talking on his cellphone in flight) without a Picocell on the private plane?

Ok should I tell him or does someone else want to do the honors? All right, I'll do it. Um Kev, the plane is crusing at about, what? 20 to 30K up (and at 400 to 600MPH no less) and well, the cell towers are way down low like little ants. See where I'm going with this? Ok, go away now ;^)...

[jarofchris @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:15PM]

Actually, the post about "cell phones allowed in hospitals" is not strictly accurate. Sure people bring cell phones into hospitals and every doctor has one for just walking around, but cell phone use is either strongly discouraged or not allowed near sensitive equipment in ICUs, ERs etc.

[Mike @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:12PM]

meh ballz are both pilots.

[Robert M. @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:21PM]

Actually, Mythbusters proved that it WASN'T possible to affect the airplane at all (see http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/04/episode_49_cellphones_on_plane.html). That's because all the critical avionics wiring is shielded inside a wire mesh sleeve. The reason it is banned is because the FAA doesn't want to do the necessary testing on every single cell phone, so it's just better to ban all of them... or so they think.

If you think about it, it makes sense... otherwise an enemy aircraft could sneak up underneath an airplane and turn on a cell phone to drop it out of the sky.

[LJKelley @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:48PM]

Well... I wasn't gonna say anything... I think Kev stated something about a 'private' plane that can obviously fly much slower and at lower altitudes. Idiots!! SECONDLY, on 911 If I recall correctly some people on the plane that crashed in that field called people on their cellphones while in flight at 400+ MPH. So yes, it is possible...

http://www.startblue.net

[Adam @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:52PM]

Frankenstein,

Most private pilots fly at altitudes below 10,000 ft. unless they are in pressurized aircraft on a long-distance flight, and they also fly at speeds much slower than jet aircraft. Maybe 120 to 220 MPH, depending on the type of plane, engine, etc.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:22PM]

The others are right, He does so when flying twins, or my dad's plane. He's rarely above 12,000 feet (only in pressurized planes, because the air is too thin higher than that).

Also, most airliners cruise at roughly 450 to 500 mph (I believe). 600 is pretty fast for even a commercial jet, and 700 is nearing the speed of sound at sea level (though it's different up high because of the far lower temperatures).

I suggest reading the post you're replying to before commenting. No harm done though, take care.

[Ryoga Vee @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:01PM]

Actually those phone calls NEVER happen.
Cant be done. 400 MPH, you would be changing cell phone towers so fast it would not keep up, besides, you cant make a phone call over 8000 ft. Ask any cellphone tech.

Again, those phone calls, NEVER happen

[Patuxentbball @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:02PM]

With the radiowaves constantly bombarding the planet, and yes, the planes even at however-many-thousands of feet, you know, UV light(less shielded at high altitudes, not all that "air" to get through), radio waves from satellites, waves from ground towers, rays from the implant the aliens put in your brain, why would one more cell phone signal mess with any kind of instruments.
I mean, it's horrible to imagine a plane with people on cell phones, but for the "logic" behind it, which beuraucratic bonehead came up with "cell phones crash airplanes".
Reminds me of some people that came inot the large electronics store where I work and didn't want to get a wireless router because they didn't want the radiation killing their 2 year old son....

[Bo Teichman @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:03PM]

Didn't mythbusters bust this?

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:10PM]

Thanks Ryoga Vee ;^)...
A typical 2.5 or 3G cellsite covers, oh I dont know, mabye 1.5 miles on flat terrain (with sectors pointing down and out to cover human ground traffic) and hand off (from one cellsite to another) becomes a knightmare when traveling upwards of 250MPH. And thats why any talk of in flight cellphone use without an on board Picosite, is, well, BS (except for analog AMPS phone and towers and who still uses those?). I kinda know this stuff cause its what pays my slave wages ;^)...

[Sam @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:54PM]

I just want data and texting. I don't need to call anyone. Did I mention I want data.