Originally Posted by
C17PSGR
But, since its based on cell towers, I'm wondering how they deal with the FCC's concern about cell phones in the air which has nothing to do with cockpit interference. Rather, the FCC is concerned that a single cell phone in the air will tie up cells from many different towers. (Of course, i don't seem to have any cell signal in the air at all.).
You are right that cell phones really don't cause any interference at all. You can use them in private planes all you want. In fact, you can use them in the cockpit of private planes while you are flying. They actually make headsets for pilots that work with the radios and with cell phones.
No one can get cell service at cruising altitude but most cell phones will work below about 12,000 – 15,000 ft. The problem occurs in terminal areas (around airports) when a whole plane full--or multiple planes full--of pax start calling their friends/family during the last 10-15 minutes of a flight. The plane is still going 200+ mph and all those people moving so fast and switching from tower to tower could bring down the entire cell network.
Plus, the FAA, FCC, airlines, and most flyers agree that cell phones in flight would just be outright annoying.
The reason this internet thing works is because each plane will only have one connection to the tower and you in turn connect to a router in the plane.