JetBlue has named one of its Airbus A320 planes "BetaBlue." BetaBlue has an onboard wireless network, the only one of JetBlue's planes to boast this feature. The airborne wireless network will allow passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as the BlackBerry 8820 and 8320, to check e-mail and do limited Web surfing. But wait, you say, don't cellular phones interfere with navigation systems?
Surf the Web + Soar the Skies = CRASH
Right?
Wrong. (Let's hope.) Somehow, the fact that the service is operated at 10,000 feet and above, uses Wi-Fi to connect to devices, and not the phones' built in cellular radio, factors in to the safety of the in-flight wireless service.
Personally, I feel emotionally divided on my views of this new service. On one hand, I am extremely excited about the prospect of being able to enjoy text messages and IMs while traveling by air. I would love to be able to get my CrackBerry fix during one of my regular 6-hour flights to visit family. But on the other hand, if the FCC thinks that cellular phone calls may interfere with navigation systems, why wouldn't this system likewise do the same? Though on a different frequency, we're still dealing with radio waves. We all know that radio waves can cause interference, so....
If anyone can explain this, I more than welcome it.
Here is the article on CNET.com.