(I wonder if the "super-PDA" referred to in this article is nothing more than a decked-out Blackberry or Palm Treo.......rf)
Dollars for Dialing Updated: Friday, Dec. 17, 2004 - 8:52 AM http://www.federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=169&sid=163345 By J.J. Green FederalNewsRadio The FCC is moving to allow you to use your cell phone while you fly, but the real reason behind the change is the subject of a FederalNewsRadio.com exclusive report. The director of the Federal Air Marshals says, "We're driving that process." Tom Quinn says the changes in FCC policy come at the request of the Marshals "in order to be able to have air to ground communications for federal air marshals." The FAMs use a wireless telephone equipped, super-PDA that can transmit crucial, real-time intel anywhere in the world within seconds. The problem is, on an airplane there's no way to transmit the data. This government-private sector initiative got underway in December of 2002. At that time Congress appropriated more than $10 million to research and develop the capabilities for seamless air-to-ground communications for the Marshal Service during all phases of flight NASA, DHS, FAA, DOD, the Air Transport Association and the Flight Attendants Union were all involved in the studies. Contractors for the project included Verizon, ARINC, Teledyne, Boeing and Aircell. The goal, according to Quinn is to "install the infrastructure on aircraft in cooperation with the airlines that we would then utilize that, rather than the American taxpayer having to foot the bill for this." (Copyright 2004 by FederalNewsRadio.com. All Rights Reserved.) You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. Any and all copyrights appearing in list messages are maintained by their respective owners.
