Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#1

Post by tptacek » Sun, Dec 08, 2019, 10:24 PM UTC

Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac
thepointsguy.com

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#2

Post by tptacek » Sun, Dec 08, 2019, 10:26 PM UTC

I'm ruining a good article, but I'll summarize: you can't build good coverage in an airport with cell towers because of height restrictions, so airports augment their coverage with indoor repeaters; once you get on the plane, you're out of range of the indoor repeater network.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#3

Post by bobowzki » Mon, Dec 09, 2019, 10:19 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #2

I'm ruining a good article, but I'll summarize: you can't build good coverage in an airport with cell towers because of height restrictions, so airports augment their coverage with indoor repeaters; once you get on the plane, you're out of range of the indoor repeater network.

And you are inside a metal tube that does a good job of shielding I suspect, at least if you are not close to a window.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#4

Post by beatgammit » Mon, Dec 09, 2019, 3:47 PM UTC

bobowzki wrote: post #3

tptacek wrote: post #2

I'm ruining a good article, but I'll summarize: you can't build good coverage in an airport with cell towers because of height restrictions, so airports augment their coverage with indoor repeaters; once you get on the plane, you're out of range of the indoor repeater network.

And you are inside a metal tube that does a good job of shielding I suspect, at least if you are not close to a window.

Any they don't turn in WiFi until they're in the sky because they don't want people on their devices (and I'm sure there are technical reasons as well).

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#5

Post by xur17 » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 3:37 AM UTC

beatgammit wrote: post #4

bobowzki wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And you are inside a metal tube that does a good job of shielding I suspect, at least if you are not close to a window.

Any they don't turn in WiFi until they're in the sky because they don't want people on their devices (and I'm sure there are technical reasons as well).

I've been on a few Delta flights that had working wifi from gate to gate.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#6

Post by scblock » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 3:39 AM UTC

This is not an issue I have ever experienced. I can’t get reliable coverage in my office but planes on the ground seem to be fine (mostly Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, Des Moines). Maybe it affect some airports more than others.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#7

Post by rtpg » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 3:55 AM UTC

Slightly related to a comment in the article about airport interiors being so big: Why is it that almost _all_ airports have those huge ceilings?

Is it just for aesthetics? Personally it feels really uncomfortable and just wasteful. I can't help but think you could make airports a hell of a lot smaller and make it a better experience overall.

An interesting contrast is Narita's low-cost-carrier terminal 3. It has normal ceilings, and the only thing really airport-y about it is that there's a security checkpoint. It's basically a bus terminal, if buses had wings. Plus it has a normal food court (instead of all the overpriced BS you find in other places). An airport for the masses

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#8

Post by throwaway1777 » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 3:56 AM UTC

This is a good thing. Nothing more annoying than sitting next to someone yapping on their phone in a plane.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#9

Post by edoo » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 3:58 AM UTC

scblock wrote: post #6

This is not an issue I have ever experienced. I can’t get reliable coverage in my office but planes on the ground seem to be fine (mostly Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, Des Moines). Maybe it affect some airports more than others.

I concur. I've left my phone on by accident a few times and usually I'm getting alerts right before touch down.

Re: Why you can't get cell service on the tarmac

#10

Post by ajdlinux » Tue, Dec 10, 2019, 4:06 AM UTC

rtpg wrote: post #7

Slightly related to a comment in the article about airport interiors being so big: Why is it that almost _all_ airports have those huge ceilings? Is it just for aesthetics? Personally it feels really uncomfortable and just wasteful. I can't help but think you could make airports a hell of a lot smaller and make it a better experience overall. An interesting contrast is Narita's low-cost-carrier terminal 3. It has nor…

When I go into an airport terminal with lower ceilings (e.g. parts of Melbourne Airport) I feel _noticeably_ more cramped and claustrophobic. It really does make the experience feel worse for me.

I'm not entirely sure why it makes me feel that way.