I don't know what phone Todd Beamer used, but the plane was low enough that people got to use their personal phones. Right now, cell towers point down at an angle so nobody gets a signal over 5000 feet or so. A couple companies are working on repeators to allow cell phones to work at any altitude. Some planes have directv receivers already. Having live news and communication with the ground should be considered security. Arming the pilots would be nice, too.
The directv antennae are phased array attenae as I understand it, and look up to the satellites.
I am suprised to hear that cell phones will work in a jet aircraft (1) due to speed of handoff between towers, and (2) lack of signal from and to the towers.
I am curious.
Anyway, Mr. or Ms. Rude's cell phone will not work at FL35 over the Kansas. Or am I wrong?