Reply #3: Then why would they do THIS?

[dchill]

"The race is on to enable airline passengers to make and receive cell phone calls in flight."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2004-07-19-aircells_x.htm

...Cell phone company Qualcomm (QCOM) has teamed with American Airlines (AMR) to develop satellite-based air-to-ground cellular service. Several smaller companies are working on rival systems. In-flight cell service could be introduced within two years and become commonplace within four, developers believe.

Last week, American and Qualcomm officials circled over West Texas in a jetliner making calls from their cell phones. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission authorized the flight to test the technology's safety and transmission quality.

"It worked great," says Monte Ford, American's chief information officer, and the special flight's host. "I called the office. I called my wife. I called a friend in Paris. They all heard me great, and I could hear them loud and clear."

I guess it's impossible - or it's possible. I love the accurate technical information available to anyone with an internet connection.