If you’ve flown on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, you may have noticed that your cell phone suddenly loses reception while on board. No, it’s not something you do and it’s not your imagination…it’s real.
The Boeing 787 often blocks cell phone signals
In general, mobile data is often not good at airports. However, there is another problem specific to the Boeing 787 that I know confuses many people.
As you board the Boeing 787, you may notice that the signal suddenly becomes very poor or is lost altogether. Let me be clear: this is not always the case and you are often referred to. However, this happens more often than other airplanes and is due to something special about this popular widebody airplane (something Boeing engineers have confirmed).
Of course, this can be frustrating. Whether it’s sending emails from your phone, making phone calls, or connecting to your laptop, many people are still trying to get things done on airplanes.
What causes this problem and why is it specific to the Boeing 787? I’m not much of a scientist, but let me explain my understanding of the “reliable” theories I’ve heard.
The first explanation I heard for this is that the Boeing 787 is made of composite material and therefore uses iron wire rods to maintain its structural integrity. These iron bars appear to be interfering with cell phone signals on board.
But then I heard other knowledgeable people say that this is not entirely true and that the copper mesh embedded in the carbon fiber composite… Faraday cageThis copper braid is necessary so that lightning strikes on the aircraft do not penetrate the carbon fiber.
Another explanation I often see is related to electrically controlled windows and the fact that they have transparent electrodes painted on them that transmit light but not radio frequency, resulting in poor cell reception.
Honestly, I don’t know which of the three explanations is correct or the truth is a combination of several factors. But I know it’s very real.
But what is the explanation of this conflict?
Although I can’t explain exactly what causes this problem, I have more confusion that explains this huge discrepancy. Sometimes I fly on a Boeing 787 and have no data problems, and sometimes I fly on a 787 and have no data problems for an hour on the ground.
Anyone want to try to explain this discrepancy? What happens when sitting on a plane? Is it because the 787 has a weak airport signal?
the minimum
On a Boeing 787, it is normal for cell phone reception to drop as soon as you board the plane. This is a common problem with windows or a combination of both. However, what I still don’t understand is the reason for the discrepancy.
Have you noticed mobile data issues on the Boeing 787?
