Already in 2022 the European Commission gave the green light to the use of devices with 5G connection: why then call the plane still taboo?
On November 24, 2022 the European Commission gave The green light for the use of devices with 5G connection on flights line. There Airplane mode It seemed to have the days counted, yet, after more than two years from that decision, it does not seem to have changed much: more or less all the companies continue, during the starting procedures, a request the switching off of your smartphone or the use of the aforementioned method.
Both in Europe and in the United States, therefore, It is not yet possible to call by planeDespite the technology, it already exists and there are no particular safety risks. Which are then real reasons Behind this resistance?
Few exceptions. First of all, it should be underlined how The European legislation leaves the last word to the companies About the possibility of making phone calls and connecting to the Internet. Alone few of them They decided to make this service available, and always on a limited part of the fleet.
An economic question. The obstacle, as mentioned, is not technical: the so -called “Pico-Cell“In fact, small cells installed on board that unplug communications towards satellites or dedicated networks, eliminate the risk of interference with avionic systems. Both Airbus and Boeing, the two largest manufacturers of world aircraft, have conducted tests that show how the signals of the phones do not interfere with the frequencies of the on -board systems.
However, it remains an economic problem: The implementation of these infrastructures involves significant costs that many companies prefer not to face, especially in an already financially fragile sector such as the aeronautical sector.
The technical reasons. There is actually too a technical componentbut only concerns extra European infrastructure. In the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to ban calls by plane also to avoid potential problems on terrestrial networks: a phone phone, connected to multiple cells simultaneously, could in fact cause its congestion, making it difficult to use the service for those who are on the ground.
This problem was addressed in Europe thanks to theActivation on board of dedicated 5G frequencies.
A disturbance and a distraction. The real brake on “progress”, however, seems to be another and it is the same that blocked a similar project, first undertaken and then abandoned by the FCC, that is The possible impact on travel experience: talking on the phone could in fact disturb other passengerscompromising the order and tranquility in the cabin and generating conflicts on board, in addition to distract from listening to security briefingconsequently complicating the crew operations.
Safety and costs. But how it goes on the few flights where the service is active? In fact, not very well: some pilots have reported audio disorders in their earphones, which could theoretically be traced back to the signals of the devices. However, no study has confirmed a concrete risk, indicating that The real obstacle therefore remains more cultural It is organizational and technical.
Yet, there is no shortage episodes who make you think about how important respect for the rules on board is: in 1999 A British man was sentenced to 12 months in prison For repeatedly ignoring the order to turn off the phone during a flight from Madrid to Manchester. A warning that recalls how much, by plane, common sense must always prevail over the desire for innovation.
