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Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ralph Wiggum on November 22, 2013, 02:30:03 PM

Title: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on November 22, 2013, 02:30:03 PM
Oh for the love of Pete, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!!!! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Quote
The U.S. agency that regulates the nation's communications networks said it will seek public comment on a proposal that will allow people to make phone calls and use mobile data in-flight.

The Federal Communications Commission is considering green-lighting the use of cellphones and mobile broadband services on airplanes above 10,000 feet.  The agency, which has restricted the use of cellular devices for making phone calls or surfing the Web in-flight, is circulating a proposed rulemaking among its commissioners. The agency will introduce the item at its December open meeting, and will then allow for public comment on the proposal.

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said Thursday that it's important for the FCC to keep up with changing technology.  "Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules," he said in a statement. "I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the FAA, and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers."  The FCC's move comes just weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration said it plans to change its rules for using electronic devices in flight. The agency said it will now lift restrictions so that devices, such as e-readers and tablets, can be used during take-off and landing. But at the time, the FAA said that it would still restrict the use of cellular services in-flight, requiring users to switch their electronic gadgets to "airplane mode," which turns off the cellular radios.

The changes in the FCC rules would now make it possible for consumers to use cellular voice and data services once the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet. These devices will still need to be in airplane mode during take-off and landing.

LINK (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57613401-38/fcc-considers-lifting-cell-phone-ban-on-planes/)
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: ExGeeEye on November 22, 2013, 03:43:51 PM
Oh for the love of Pete, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!!!! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

LINK (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57613401-38/fcc-considers-lifting-cell-phone-ban-on-planes/)

OK.  Why not?
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on November 22, 2013, 03:51:28 PM
OK.  Why not?

Do you want to have half the plane chatting on their phones for two/three hours?  I sure don't.

The data usage for phones/Ipads/etc. is fine.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Maxiest on November 22, 2013, 03:55:08 PM
Bad news is, the phones will hardly work...  I have worked in the cell industry and back in the analog days you were lucky to get 7-10 Miles from a tower.  Now with the digital towers 3-5 miles is more like it.  Plus with the tower hand offs because of speed.  It will hardly do people any good anyway.  Will just drain battery's.
Title: Re: Re: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: DLR Pyro on November 22, 2013, 04:08:12 PM
OK.  Why not?
flying is uncomfortable enough for me, being 6'2", now I have too endure some self important asshole sitting next to me or behind me yakking away the entire trip.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Ptarmigan on November 22, 2013, 05:53:50 PM
I do not want to hear people talking while I am on the airplane.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: obumazombie on November 22, 2013, 10:27:00 PM
I do not want to hear people talking while I am on the airplane.

To better hear lagomorphs whiffling.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: biersmythe on November 22, 2013, 10:32:41 PM
Bad news is, the phones will hardly work...  I have worked in the cell industry and back in the analog days you were lucky to get 7-10 Miles from a tower.  Now with the digital towers 3-5 miles is more like it.  Plus with the tower hand offs because of speed.  It will hardly do people any good anyway.  Will just drain battery's.

Hmm I have a friend of mine that calls me all the time when he is in flight. He works for XTO energy and I hear him fine. Wonder if they have a repeater on the plane. He called me a few weeks ago from like 40k and we had no interruptions.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: NHSparky on November 23, 2013, 03:40:25 PM
Bad news is, the phones will hardly work...  I have worked in the cell industry and back in the analog days you were lucky to get 7-10 Miles from a tower.  Now with the digital towers 3-5 miles is more like it.  Plus with the tower hand offs because of speed.  It will hardly do people any good anyway.  Will just drain battery's.

I'll admit it--I've been a rebel and turned my phone from airplane mode to normal just for the hell of it.

And no, I don't think I ever got a useable signal.  They'd have to have something on the plane to allow it, and no doubt they'd charge for it.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Dori on November 23, 2013, 03:48:59 PM
I do not want to hear people talking while I am on the airplane.


Ditto

Can you imagine a plane full of people yammering all at the same time?










Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: rich_t on November 23, 2013, 04:19:32 PM
Bad news is, the phones will hardly work...  I have worked in the cell industry and back in the analog days you were lucky to get 7-10 Miles from a tower.  Now with the digital towers 3-5 miles is more like it.  Plus with the tower hand offs because of speed.  It will hardly do people any good anyway.  Will just drain battery's.

You forgot the most important part.  Cell tower antennas do NOT point UP.  So reception at 30k feet will be impossible unless there is a BTS relay on the plane with a link to ground based relays.  Which is what they do for those on boards seatback phones.
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: Maxiest on November 24, 2013, 12:29:09 PM
Hmm I have a friend of mine that calls me all the time when he is in flight. He works for XTO energy and I hear him fine. Wonder if they have a repeater on the plane. He called me a few weeks ago from like 40k and we had no interruptions.

Yes they would need some sort of relay for it to work.  I assume this is a private plane?
Title: Re: FCC considers lifting cell phone ban on planes
Post by: biersmythe on November 25, 2013, 08:18:35 PM
Yes it is a Gulfstream....not sure the model. I talked to him and he said they had a transmitter.