Which lie were we told?

[CornField]

On Sept. 11, 2001, several individuals were able to use cellular phones while aboard aircraft flying relatively low, but at high speeds. Prior to 9-11-01, the American people were told two things about the use of cellular phones on aircraft:

1) The cellular signals would interfere with either the aircraft's operation and/or the cockpit to tower communications.

2) Cellular phones might connect, but would almost immediately drop signal as the plane quickly moved from one cellular node to another. (This, in turn, could complicate the system... having signals from planes overloading the nodes, preventing those on the ground from gaining service.)

Yet, by some miracle, on the morning on 9-11, cellular phones worked on flying aircraft -- even while flying over remote areas which typically did not have efficient/reliable cellular service.

Today, on the television news, there is information on the airlines moving forward on a plan which would allow cellular service on airplanes. It involves a node within the aircraft itself. According to today's reports, the airlines are acknowledging that cellular calls do not interfere with the operation of the plane.

So, which is it? Which lie were we told?

[displacedtexan]

1. I don't know, but the last thing I want is phone yapping on flights.

I'm sick and tired of having to remind people that they're in the quiet car on the train.
They think it's supposed to be quiet so they can yap on their phones!

[MindPilot]

2. used to be true...

Cell phone signals could cause problems. I believe the was one documented case of a cell phone setting off a fire alarm. Newer technology has pretty much eliminated the problem.

Yes, they do work at lower altitudes, and since the signals travel line of sight at somewhere close to light, the speed of the aircraft is not significant.