April 4th, 2007
So how many calls could cell-in-air support, anyway?
On Wi-Fi Network News, Glen Fleishman, who is the authority on all matters Wi-Fi, made a post late yesterday that took on two related topics.
He noted the FCC (Federal Communications Commisison is sticking with its ban of cell phones on airplanes right now, while negating at least one published report about specific cellphone spectrum and its ability to handle multiple cell calls.
You know, such as would occur in the pix, at the top of this post, from the Bucknell University website
Writing about claims made in this Wall Street Journal piece, Glen notes:
The spectrum was for broadband network access, which might include voice, but, you know, see FCC story above. McCartney says that only 14 calls could be made at the same time; that’s with Inmarsat’s third-generation satellite, not with AirCell’s equipment nor with Inmarsat 4G hookups. And so on. I checked with AirCell, and they said voice is nowhere on their near-term roadmap; cell data devices are of much greater interest, but that’s still down the road.
Well, the FAA decision makes me happy. I have a cell phone of course, but is it really necessary in flight?
Plus, I love to observe Type A's and overly chatty teenagers learn to shut the heck up and reflect rather than babble. Not that they'll get bored while onboard. iPod's are OK over 10,000 feet, you know.
Loading ...Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
