In the mid 1990’s Flightcell were the first to pair a cell phone to a helicopter intercom system. Fast forward 30 years, and the use of cellular technology in aviation has become widespread. It’s now used by first responders, government agencies, business aircraft and commercial airlines.
The primary driver for cellular technology in the air? Costs. There are significant operating cost benefits to using cellular communications for voice, data and aircraft tracking compared to the main alternative to a cellular connection – satellite. The cost of satellite devices and services is typically higher, and satellite data usage fees can be far more costly. Cellular connectivity, on the other hand, is more affordable, and many asset-tracking solutions offer unlimited data plans, providing operators more certainty with operating costs. Read more. | 
