1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

News In-flight mobiles coming to Europe

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by CardJoe, 9 Apr 2008.

  1. CardJoe

    CardJoe Freelance Journalist

    Joined:
    3 Apr 2007
    Posts:
    11,346
    Likes Received:
    316
  2. Flibblebot

    Flibblebot Smile with me

    Joined:
    19 Apr 2005
    Posts:
    4,825
    Likes Received:
    292
    Noooooooo!

    It's bad enough on a train, but at least you have the option to go to a different carriage. On a plane, you're stuck where you're sitting.

    Expect plane rage incidents to increase...:sigh:
     
  3. sotu1

    sotu1 Ex-Modder

    Joined:
    24 Aug 2007
    Posts:
    2,884
    Likes Received:
    26
    short journey flights less than 2 hours, i can tolerate. note i can tolerate it, not want it. i don't like the idea of sitting next to someone who won't shut up for hours on end.
     
  4. MrWillyWonka

    MrWillyWonka Chocolate computers galore!

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2004
    Posts:
    5,892
    Likes Received:
    12
    To be honest I don't expect the prices to be cheap and as a result the use of phones will probably be fairly limited. Perhaps the rich people will be able to afford talking for hours but then they will probably be in first class which I cannot afford, yay.

    Mind you I can just turn my hearing aid off :brrr:
     
  5. Jordan Wise

    Jordan Wise Baby called to see the boss...

    Joined:
    24 Jul 2007
    Posts:
    597
    Likes Received:
    0
    it always amazed me how victims of 9/11 managed to ring their relatives in flight years before this stuff came along...
     
  6. Hamish

    Hamish What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    25 Nov 2002
    Posts:
    3,649
    Likes Received:
    4
    because they were over population centres with mobile coverage anyway

    this technology will let you make calls from the middle of the atlantic etc :p
     
  7. MrWillyWonka

    MrWillyWonka Chocolate computers galore!

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2004
    Posts:
    5,892
    Likes Received:
    12
    That was because the aircraft was flying low over land which means one could get a signal. This technology is different where one can get a signal at 30,000ft using an onboard transceiver, one wouldn't be able to get a signal to a land-based base station when at 30,000ft or over the ocean.

    EDIT: Damn beaten by Hamish.
     
  8. Jordan Wise

    Jordan Wise Baby called to see the boss...

    Joined:
    24 Jul 2007
    Posts:
    597
    Likes Received:
    0
  9. mclean007

    mclean007 Officious Bystander

    Joined:
    22 May 2003
    Posts:
    2,035
    Likes Received:
    15
    The technology will, but the EU's actions won't - this is to be used in EU airspace only at present, which I guess limits the extent to which your sleep will be disturbed on long-haul. I would expect that, if it is ever rolled out on long-haul, it will be switched off when the lights are dimmed for sleeping time.

    You can bet that Ryanair will rinse people for the absolute last possible drop of cash, much as with every other 'extra' like, for example, checking a bag onto the aircraft, having a glass of water in-flight, or having the audacity to want to pay for your flights by credit card. £3 per minute here we come!
     
  10. Redbeaver

    Redbeaver The Other Red Meat

    Joined:
    15 Feb 2006
    Posts:
    2,062
    Likes Received:
    36
    2 things (both already mentioned)
    1. security and safety. will the signal disturb any of the plane's equipment? will having access to more comm networks become a hazard for flight security?
    2. comfortability. flights usually covers long trips. in long trips people like to rest/undisturbed/sleep. people shouting while talking on the phone irks me enough even in outdoor. then u wanna bring that indoor, and even more so, into a confined space of a plane? on a bus u can move around, on trains u can walk around, wadaya gonna do on an airplane? insane.


    just my $2.
     
  11. Javerh

    Javerh Topiary Golem

    Joined:
    5 Sep 2006
    Posts:
    1,045
    Likes Received:
    26
    If I remember right some plane company made this available in the Arab Emirates last year. The biggest problem with allowing phone-calls from a plane were that they would confuse land-based mobile cells. It had something to do with a phone signal propagating farther from a flying plane than a signal from the ground. Thus a single signal could hijack multiple mobile identities in the network.
     
  12. johnnyboy700

    johnnyboy700 Minimodder

    Joined:
    27 May 2007
    Posts:
    1,554
    Likes Received:
    18
    Bloody hell, can't folk learn to do without their bloody phones for even just a couple of hours? Remember that recent survey that said there was a growing number of the population that suffers from phone fear - i.e. they start to panic when they are out of mobile contact for even a few minutes?
    Oh well there goes the last refuge from irritating twats twittering away about either the most inane shite imaginable or power business types banging on about fiscal policies and 10 year projections whilst you're trying to chill out on a flight. Still I'd imagine the worst flights would be the ones to and from lager lout destinations. Its bad enough on a train when you get folk who seem to find it necessary to talk long and loud about what seems to be their entire life history but it'll be worse on a plane.

    I agree with the above comment about seeing a potential rise in air rage incidents, I find being cooped up in a big metal tube with the general public and nowhere to go bad enough (why do the general public seems to consist of nothing but idiots and retards?) but add in the "Hi, what?, No, I'm on a plane" line of conversation and it will be bordering on unbearable. Time to buy one of those gadgets I've heard about that blocks a mobile signal - unless of course that interferes with the aircraft systems as well.
     
  13. mclean007

    mclean007 Officious Bystander

    Joined:
    22 May 2003
    Posts:
    2,035
    Likes Received:
    15
    Yeah, good luck getting on a plane with a radio jammer. Something that is specifically designed to obstruct wireless communications is unlikely to be welcome in a machine that relies on GPS, ILS, radar, radio, and countless other wireless technologies for its functionality and safety! :doh:
     
  14. johnnyboy700

    johnnyboy700 Minimodder

    Joined:
    27 May 2007
    Posts:
    1,554
    Likes Received:
    18
    Maybe I'll just hit them over the head with it rather than turn it on!
     
  15. r4tch3t

    r4tch3t hmmmm....

    Joined:
    17 Aug 2005
    Posts:
    3,166
    Likes Received:
    48
    Hopefully they have decibel meters in the seat so that if someone's talking too loud they get disconnected. I don't mind people talking on their phones on flights, people talk to each other, but with phones people tend to start raising their voice and shout.
     
  16. johnnyboy700

    johnnyboy700 Minimodder

    Joined:
    27 May 2007
    Posts:
    1,554
    Likes Received:
    18
    Hey, I've just thought of the ideal gadget that will block a mobile conversation that you can take on a flight, a large mail sack! Any mobile user annoys you with their inane babble just stick the bag over their head and pull the draw strings tight - job done.
     
  17. Flibblebot

    Flibblebot Smile with me

    Joined:
    19 Apr 2005
    Posts:
    4,825
    Likes Received:
    292
    Even better, line it with paxmate so you won't be able to hear them!
     
  18. Cavedweller

    Cavedweller What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    26 Sep 2005
    Posts:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    10/10 for the "Trigger Happy TV" reference!
     
Tags: Add Tags

Share This Page