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In-flight Broadband Internet Access Trial's Success
flash_cube writes "Boeing Co.'s 'Connexion' business unit finally demoed its in-flight WiFi (802.11b) service this weekend ... even as (noted in this previous /. article) struggling U.S. carriers pull out of the joint venture. Still Boeing promises availability on other airlines in 'early 2003.'"
The question remains: Why are cellphones forbidden while WiFi is obviously allowed in planes?
Possibly because cell phones operate on completely different frequencies and can reach much higher power levels than Wi-Fi?
I think there is a big difference in the transmitting power of Mobile phones vs. 802.1b (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth. Mobile phones transmit at a much higher power (600 mW to 3000 mW) compared with 802.11b (Wi-Fi) at 100mW, and Bluetooth, which with a lower-powered radio, transmits at only 10mW. These lower-powered wireles data transmissions have a reduced ability to wreak havoc with other wireless data transmissions. This is one of the key difference between Mobile phone technologies and Wireless LAN or Wireless PAN technologies.
Also, unlike mobile phones, both 802.11b (Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth technologies are operating in the unlicensed (ISM band) frequencies. These frequencies are free for everyone, even consumers, to use for wireless communication, without licenses. Mobile phones, on the other hand, use the frequency spectrum licensed by the mobile phone network (carrier).
These are the good old days you'll be telling your children about. Make them worthwhile.
On an airliner WiFi wins over wired because:
Wires are heavy the few hundred meters of cable required hubs etc would weigh much more than a WiFi rig, every extra kilo costs fuel every time the plane flys. After fitting the WiFi hubs only users add weight (ie the adaptor cards)
WiFi is cheap to fit, just lob the boxes in and configure, wired installation would need to be done during a big refit and would require skilled fitters to string the wires (more cost!)
WiFi is cheap to remove (you really don't want deadweight on a airliner!)
I recall hearing that an 'airline' was playing with fuel numbers and found that if the crew did not wear shoes on their flights they could save $200,000/year in fuel, can anyone provide a source for that?