Phones Maybe Going to be Allowed on Planes

Yesterday, it was announced in the UK that mobile phones may possibly be allowed to use in airplanes sometime in the future. Currently mobile phones are not allowed to be used on airplanes, due to the proven fact that they can interfere with navigation systems. But planes could be modified with a system that would create a small mobile phone network just large enough to encompass the cabin, nullifying the effect to navigation. Were this system to be implemented, though, phone calls made in the air would be more expensive than phone calls made on the ground. However, regulator Ofcom says they will prevent excessive charging.

Even though this is something that is happening in the UK, competition between businesses is global nowadays. If such a system created a big incentive to fly, then US companies will adopt such a system, in order to make more profit. In favor of cell phones on planes, it would allow people to use their cell phones on planes, which usually have more features than an onboard plane (Can an onboard plane text?) By adopting this system, it might also pave the way for using wifi on the plane, which is also a possibly desired service. However, against it, the prices are higher than what they would be on the ground. So, it might be that the air phone is the better deal. Also, this isn't exactly a proven market, so the plane company is taking a bit of a risk on expensive technology with ambiguous payoffs. Finally, cell phones are currently outlawed on planes for a reason, and there's always the potential for something to go wrong somewhere and crash a plane.

Personally, I'm a bit against this. It's annoying to have people yakking it up on cell phones on the ground; would it be any different in the air? Especially in an enclosed space with few distractions. Also, there's always the potential for something to go wrong. In addition to all of that, I don't even have a cell phone, so I have nothing to gain. While it may be a great triumph of technology, it may also be a great triumph against peace and quiet.

Source; BBC