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