wolit@rabbit.UUCP (Jan Wolitzky) (04/27/84)
Does anyone know whether the new cellular mobile telephones will work, or are legal for use, in airplanes? Is the system dependent on each mobile unit being in line-of-sight with only a small number of "repeater" stations (i.e., would an airborne unit "swamp" the system)? I haven't priced the cellular phones yet, but they MUST be cheaper than the currently-available aircraft phones (which cost $4000 and UP). If legal and practical, have any of the companies offering them applied for an STC for aircraft installation? Jan Wolitzky, ATT Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ
dwl@hou5e.UUCP (04/30/84)
I don't know the availability of Cellular Mobile telephone service in airplanes, but the current aircraft telephones are a lot less expensive then the initial prices of CM equipment. I have a King KT96 Kingphone which retails for about $1800. I bought mine used for about $1000. The service rate is strictly usage-sensitive. No monthly charge, and no bill at all for any month in which you don't use it. They keep a phone number reserved for you as long as you keep the station license current. Usage costs about $1.00 per minute. If you use Bell System ground facilities, they impose a five minute minimum per call. Other radio common carriers are available which cost less, or do not impose a minimum billing amount per call. Only drawback, the service is push-to-talk with units in this price class. The $4,000 units provide full-duplex handset operation. -Dave Levenson -AT&T ISL Holmdel, 834-2322 -Mooney N5848Q, QM8-9463-094