Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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Ofcom has set out proposals to enable airlines to offer mobile communication services on aircraft. The proposals have been developed jointly with other EU countries and are intended to cover European airspace. The proposed system includes an on-board base station which connects to the passengers' own mobile phone handsets. Both of these must be switched off during take-off and landing to eliminate interference with other terrestrial mobile networks. Once the aircraft reaches a minimum height of 3000 metres, the system may be switched on by the cabin crew. Mobile handsets will be able to use the aircraft's network service to make and receive calls which will be routed via a satellite link to the network on the ground. Calls will be billed through passengers' normal service providers. Ofcom proposes to allow the use of these systems by amending the aircraft operators' existing Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 licences. The earliest that services could be available from UK registered airlines is 2008, subject to approval by the aviation authorities.
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Toby
Premium Member
Registered: 29th Nov 05
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well everytime we fly, we fly with virgin and they have fones on the plane anyway so makes no difference to me
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Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
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Are they free phone calls on Virgin? Ive often wondered that
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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They've finally realised that mibile phones don't interfere with cabin electronics then.
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Cosmo
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Registered: 29th Mar 01
Location: Im the real one!
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quote: Originally posted by Robbo
Are they free phone calls on Virgin? Ive often wondered that
no, normally you need to put in a credit card first.
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Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
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Would make sense!
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andy1868
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Registered: 22nd Jun 06
Location: Burscough, Lancashire
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it was on mythbusters wheather they interfere or not, they found at a certain wavelength it would affect positioning systems on their test cockpit, in the real plane where everything was shielded nothing they did would interfere with the systems on the plane.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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I've made phone calls from the plane my dad flies quite a few times. You have to descend though otherwise you get no reception. Makes a noise in your headset too...
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chris_uk
Premium Member
Registered: 8th Jul 03
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has anyone seen the mythbusters episode where they test the mobile phone signals against aircraft instruments.
nothing much happens untill they get to 800 - 900mhz, then the equip starts gonig haywire, but this was in a test and clean enviroment, without the cables being shielded. they were pretty sure with the shielding on the propper plane the mobile phone would have absolutly no effect at all on a plane.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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BAE Systems have done extensive research into this. They have known for years that it doesn't cause problems.
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