Does mobile broadband work in-flight?

[flyman]

I have an australian mobile broadband account with dodo using a usb modem on my laptop (using the optus 3g network)
- will this work in-flight in australia and internationally?

 

[simongr]

Given you are not meant to use any telephony devices in flight unless all connectivity is switched off via some form of safe flight mode, I would think the point is moot.

 

[bazzam]

I have an australian mobile broadband account with dodo using a usb modem on my laptop (using the optus 3g network)
- will this work in-flight in australia and internationally?

No. Plus no airline would be happy with you trying to use mobile broadband modem with your equipment anyway. Internet on flights would have to be accessed through a communications network provided by the plane.

 

[dot]

Given you are not meant to use any telephony devices in flight unless all connectivity is switched off via some form of safe flight mode, I would think the point is moot.

True enough, however with the recent QF 767 trial (and the upcoming introduction of the server across a greater proportion of the fleet - I hope) of GPRS/SMS access in-flight, your Dodo USB modem should work. Be aware though that you will effectively be paying International roaming rates for your data so if you do do it, you would want to keep it to a minimum. Additionally, I would expect to see GPRS speeds rather than 3G (UMTS or HSDP) speeds.

Effectively, they put a pico-cell on the plane through which all traffic is routed. As the cell is on the plane, the output from the laptops and phones will be minimal (transmission power ramps up as signal strength decreases for the mobile devices) thus reducing the possibility of the mobile device having any effect on the aircraft systems. All traffic is then routed to the terrestrial network via (if memory serves) a satellite connection.

This is quite different to the system that QF have launched with the A380 for Internet access which uses a WiFi connection on the aircraft rather than a telephony based connection.

 

[flyman]

in hospitals, there are usually signs that all mobile equipment must be turned off for fear of interfering with medical equipment - but as far as I am aware this is completely rubbish - 100% of hospital Dr's I know keep keep their mobile phones switched on in the hopsital (particularly if they are on-call)

is the situation the same on a plane? i.e. is there truly any danger from someone using their mobile phone during flight?

 

[NM]

is the situation the same on a plane? i.e. is there truly any danger from someone using their mobile phone during flight?

There is no conclusive proof either way. There have been incidents that have been blamed on mobile phone use, but cannot be 100% proven. And various bodies have tried to prove they cannot cause problems and have not been able to be 100% conclusive.

So the airlines maintain a conservative ruling on the use of transmitting devices, especially during critical phases of flight (take-off and landing).

It has been proven that digital mobile phones can cause audible interference through intercom and radio systems, which could, if present at just the wrong time, affect a pilot's ability to properly understand important communications.

Of course there other benefits of not being allowed to use mobile phones during take-off and landing:

• There are phases of flight where probability of needing to follow an important instruction from a member of the crew is highest, and your complete attention should not be impaired or distracted by mobile phone use.
• Other passengers find other people's mobile phone use in a confined space to be offensive.

So while there is any doubt whatsoever about the safety issues, the conservative approach to safety taken by most airlines will ensure mobile phones remain on the banned list for take-off and landing if not for the entire flight.

 

[medhead]

in hospitals, there are usually signs that all mobile equipment must be turned off for fear of interfering with medical equipment - but as far as I am aware this is completely rubbish -

Well, your not being aware of it isn't a very good measure, because there has been plenty of research done on telephony interference with medical equipment and there is a very real risk in many types of equipment, especially the types of machines that one finds in ICUs. (from memory)

I can dig out some papers if you like or you could look into the research from Telstra Research lab or Motorola.

 

[markis10]

True enough, however with the recent QF 767 trial (and the upcoming introduction of the server across a greater proportion of the fleet - I hope) of GPRS/SMS access in-flight, your Dodo USB modem should work. Be aware though that you will effectively be paying International roaming rates for your data so if you do do it, you would want to keep it to a minimum.

At $15 per Mb I would agree with keeping it at a minimum, those international roaming rates are terrible :evil:

 

[flyman]

there has been plenty of research done on telephony interference with medical equipment and there is a very real risk in many types of equipment.

found this upto date article - it basically says mobile phones in hospital are annoying rather than dangerous

first hit on google search for "bmj Editorial mobile phones"
(i'm banned from posting weblinksas a newbie)

 

[stuartfaz]

I have an australian mobile broadband account with dodo using a usb modem on my laptop (using the optus 3g network)
- will this work in-flight in australia...?

Given the not-so-impressive reviews of Dodo's service I've heard in the past, I'm surprised it's working on the ground...

 

[flyman]

well i haven't actually started using my dodo modem yet - its due to arrive within the next week or 2

 

[medhead]

found this upto date article - it basically says mobile phones in hospital are annoying rather than dangerous

first hit on google search for "bmj Editorial mobile phones"
(i'm banned from posting weblinksas a newbie)

I can only go back to a presentation from an annual conference of the Australasian Radiation Protection Society on Potential 3G mobile handset interference to hospital medical devices in 2004.

Their conclusions included the following:

In many instances, no interferences effects was observed even when the dipole was brought within 1 cm of the device
The results suggest that WCDMA is unlikely to be significant interference threat when compared to 900/1800 MHz GSM or GPRS
For the the devices tested, the 'two metre rule' provides protection from GPRS and WCDMA handsets

However, I would point out the caveat in many instances
Looking at their results there was interference with a Cardiac Defibrillator between 30 and 180 cm depending on transmission mode.

Google found a Student BMJ article sBMJ | Using mobile phones in hospitals: what's the worst that could happen? on mobile phones. It lists these effects for defibrillators:

affected by screen judder; with more powerful phones the units switched off, changed input selection, dumped their stored energy, and displayed asystole incorrectly4

Switching off :!: dumping stored energy :!: Hardly what I would describe as annoying or complete rubbish, when you are depending on a machine to save your life.

This article also mentions the 2 m rule and states that there is a range of risk from low to a very real clinically important risk in operating theatres, intensive care units, or at the bedside of patients connected to electrical devices.

 

[Travel Guru]

in hospitals, there are usually signs that all mobile equipment must be turned off for fear of interfering with medical equipment - but as far as I am aware this is completely rubbish - 100% of hospital Dr's I know keep keep their mobile phones switched on in the hopsital (particularly if they are on-call)

is the situation the same on a plane? i.e. is there truly any danger from someone using their mobile phone during flight?

If there's even a .0001% chance they could interfere, i'm all for maintaining the ban on using them...plus, at least it maintains my sanity inflight not having to listen to every idiot and his brother chatting away on their phones.

TG