{"id":22825,"date":"2023-01-02T04:22:41","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T12:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=22825"},"modified":"2024-01-29T04:15:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T12:15:38","slug":"5g-phones-on-airplanes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/5g-phones-on-airplanes\/","title":{"rendered":"The EU Wants 5G Phones on Airplanes \u2014 Will the US Follow Suit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The times of staring out of the airplane window with a screaming baby as your only soundtrack are soon going to be a thing of the past. The European Commission decided it\u2019s time to allow passengers to use 5G in airplane mode during flights<\/strong>. This means Netflix and Spotify won\u2019t be out of bounds anymore \u2014 and you can keep your family up to date with your ETA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision creates a huge division between aviation in Europe and the rest of the world, including the US<\/strong>. The latter is still dealing with repercussions after 5G transmitters halted or rerouted flights across the country, making it unlikely to follow in the EU\u2019s footsteps. This poses a question: why can one continent safely implement 5G phones on planes while the other is struggling with cellular receivers on the ground? And is the move as \u201csafe\u201d as we\u2019re led to believe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Table of Contents<\/h4>\nThe Real Reason Behind the Airplane Phone Ban\n<\/a>
\nPicocells as the Onboard Network Connectors<\/a>
\nAre 5G Phones Safe to Use on Airplanes?\n<\/a>
\nWill the US Allow Phones on Airplanes?<\/a>
\nIt\u2019s The End of Airplane Mode in the EU \u2014 What\u2019s Next?<\/a>
\nFAQ<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Real Reason Behind the Airplane Phone Ban<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pilots rely on the plane\u2019s automation systems, especially in bad weather conditions, as altitude readings let them know when to get ready for touchdown. Altitude radars, called aviators, <\/strong>use radio frequencies similar to those sent by cellular networks<\/strong> to get their readings. This could cause potential interference<\/strong> and false results (at least in theory), so airlines had to ban the use of phones on planes \u2014 unless they\u2019re in airplane mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering how enforced the phone ban is on all airlines, we still have very little proof to confirm whether phones actually interfere with aviators<\/strong>. Many aviation experts also argue you wouldn\u2019t be allowed to take your mobile devices with you on board if they really posed a threat to the system. So it might be more of a precaution as people err on the side of caution.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it turns out airlines may have another reason for banning phones<\/a>. Imagine being stuck 10,000ft in the air with 200 people loudly chatting on the phone at the same time. Even 30 minutes of it would put you at your wit\u2019s end. So airlines avoid unnecessary arguments and complaints<\/strong> by making sure you don\u2019t use your phone on a plane for anything other than your personal entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n