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Hot Topic: SafeCell - The Attack of Radiation Killing Kangaroo Pouches! 

A few days ago, we got an email from Ron Chapman, ASI (Australia) and the note accompanied an image we are including here. The note read as follows; "As promised this is the very first SafeCell leather pouch with embedded shielding system just received. It is fully functional and shuts down all cell phone frequencies. The shielding material (wire mesh) which is embedded in the pouch eliminates all RFI/EMI on PEDS up to 2.1GHZ. It also reduces the cell phones Bluetooth range to 1 foot (just enough to connect to our Wi-Fi communicator). The initial unit is a little bit bulky as we added to much padding. The next units will be even smaller, more like what you clip on your belt. The aim is to have sizes to accommodate normal phones and flip phones with plastic inserts to accommodate the varying cell phones. We expect the cost of each unit in volume production to be about 50% higher than a normal cell phone leather pouch Flight test Production shields commence July at which time we will do an official press release. The device patent has been applied for and it will be covered internationally.

Intrigued, we asked a few questions of Ron and he told us the following:

Q: Is this to be purchased by airlines or passengers?
A: Passengers

Q: I assume this is to work with your SafeCell (Cell phone TXT messaging via Iridium) System?
A: Yes

Q: Can this be incorporated into a seat pouch?
A: It is possible but was designed as a low cost consumer accessory

Q: Is to be used in-flight by operating touch buttons thru the clear screen?
A: Correct

With some skepticism, we asked our EMI/RFI guru who knows a thing or two about Faraday shields and he said; "Appears to be simply a wire mesh bag, maybe the wire mesh is embedded between a couple layers of fabric or something. So long as it forms a contiguous shield (no apertures) it should function very well, assuming the mesh is the correct size. Not very original I think..." Ok, not original but somebody had to do it.

He went on to say: "SafeCell provides passengers with low cost cell phone communications without the need for expensive Picocell technology. With Picocells an aircraft needs one for every cell phone network, whereas SafeCell controls all cell phones with the one simple proven shielding technology. The fact is, if every transmitting PED was encapsulated in a SafeCell shield, interference with the ground or aircraft would be a non issue. SafeCell prevents all cell phones from transmitting and blocks all hazardous frequencies up to 2.1 GHz. The same technology also restricts the range of Bluetooth to one foot. A good value when you consider that a generic cell phone pouch in volume could cost less than $15. Actually, any transmitting PED could be shielded. If only shielded transmitting devices were allowed to be switched on, this could also solve the problem for cabin crew as they could easily identified any PED not in a pouch."

"Once the cell phone is in the pouch, all the passenger needs to do is pair the cell phone to a SafeCell communicators (a small Bluetooth accessory which is similar to a Bluetooth headset except it is incorporated in the Wi-Fi transmitter). The communicators could be handed out by the crew with a prepaid card, or purchased separately by opening an account.) The passenger can then send SMS, email and ultimately VOIP to any Wi-Fi hotspot (in-flight or on the ground). SafeCell is design to operate via the existing Iridium network. The satellite link comprises a 3 inch satellite antenna and a transmitter the size of a pencil case. ASiQ has been working with Iridium for the past 12 months developing its unique protocol. For a narrow body which is our target market, all we install is a bulkhead mount control panel incorporating the Wi-Fi hotspot."

With all deference to ASI, we have a hard time seeing passengers paying for radiation reducing pouches for their phone. Getting passengers to carry aircraft safety doesn't seem approvable by the FAA. Yes it would be easier to police, but paying for it? No, we think the seat manufacturers would be the doers and the airlines eventually the payers. Perhaps some clever person might design a seatback Safe Cell pouch, patent it, and then offer it to seat manufacturers...hmm? You can contact ASI at www.asiq.com.

Ed Note: In case you were wondering, a complete SafeCell SMS installation US$20K including Wi-Fi hotspot and Iridium link, suits any aircraft from 20 seats up. That's without the pouches.
 

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