LOUISVILLE, Colo.-The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that a prohibition on
cellular phone use in airplanes should not apply to a new air-to-ground wireless phone system designed by AirCell
Inc.
AirCell provides air-to-ground wireless communications to the general aviation and commercial airline markets
by connecting into existing terrestrial cellular networks. The company said its system can provide clear voice and data
communications, including fax, e-mail and Internet access, at a fraction of the cost of traditional air phones.
In
addition to consumer applications, AirCell said its system can be used by pilots to access more robust data or as a back-
up system in case of a communications failure.
AirCell was required to perform a number of technical
demonstrations that were monitored by the FCC, as well as complete field tests with 13 cellular partners.
The use of
traditional cellular phones while flying has been prohibited by the FCC due to potential interference problems with
terrestrial networks. AirCell said its signals only will be detected by cell sites equipped with its antennas, eliminating
worries about interference.
AirCell said the waiver was its last major hurdle to providing service commercially. The
company said it will expand on what it has done under its experimental license by adding to its network and working
with cellular carriers.
AirCell initially will market its service for the business jet and personal aircraft market.
