rvbuilder(at)sausen.net
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 Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject: Airborne Cell Usage |
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There are a few common misunderstandings here. First, there are no FAA regs specifically against cell phone usage. Cell technology is very line of sight and there can be issues with a cell trying to lock onto more than a couple of towers. Primarily the issue is that it will be constantly switching towers as it tries to grab the best signal.
There is a lot of talk about using cell phones in commercial aircraft (man I hope not!). This will take a couple of things to work. For one almost all cell towers have down tilt on their antennas and radiate accordingly so very little of the signal goes horizontal let alone up. Most of you that have actually used your cell in the air probably find that it only works below 2000 feet AGL or so, unless you happen to be in an area with very high towers or get some reflected signal. This is due to that down tilt of the antenna. The cell signals are targeted at people on the ground so they optimize the vast majority of the signal towards the ground.
The only real reason they haven't allowed cell phones in aircraft are because they have to build new towers that can broadcast up in a cone or use a satellite. It is also expected that the aircraft will more than likely have an onboard repeater, especially if it's satellite based as it more than likely will then take advantage of higher bandwidth frequencies. Keep in mind that current cell technology is low power (FCC restricted) and is only good for 3-5 miles. That is only 15,000-25,000 feet AGL at the very best.
It's not the FAA, or even the FCC, that are currently stopping you from using your phone in the air (even though there are FCC regs against it they were written to cover old analog cell technology and competition) it is strictly the lack of the proper technology and the general feeling among travelers that they don't one to be wedged next to someone that chats the whole flight on their cell phone. The cell companies have been busy lobbying the airlines to do this and they will eventually win. Unfortunately we will not see cell technology aimed at aviation without the airlines because there just isn't a large enough market in GA and the airlines still don't want to spend the money on even internet access in the air.
WiMAX may be a good solution, depending how it is deployed, but it is still a little ways off. Combining a non-line of sight WiMAX type solution with VoIP is probably going to the best and cheapest solution.
My $0.02
Michael Sausen
-10 #352 Fuselage
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