BINJ Labs, an innovative technology firm specializing in signal detection, defense electronics, corrections and public safety communications says new cell phone signal detection technology could serve as a solution for the airlines industry as it grapples with how to best respond to cell phone use on planes.

Recent events regarding cell phones including a Northwest flight that was diverted because of suspicious cell phone use by passengers, a plot to destroy a British airliner using a gel-like substance and and a cell phone or MP3 player, and the British Airways flight that had to return to Heathrow 90 minutes after take off because no one confessed to using a cell phone even though crewmembers heard a phone ring is causing considerable fear among passengers and crew and creating severe flight delays.
As a result, a solution that meets the concerns and safety of passengers and flight personnel is needed now more than ever.

“If the FAA wants to provide passengers with the freedom to use cell phones, but protect travelers and empower airlines with the information they need to minimize risk, using a system that alerts airline personnel where and when a cell phone is activated with the ability to disable it is a viable option,” says BINJ Labs CEO Joe Noonan.

This type of system should include a visual alert of cell phone activity inside bathrooms, cargo areas and throughout the aircraft including times when a “no cell phones” sign is activated. Airlines could then choose when to enforce cell phone restrictions and, if necessary, disable phones.

The BINJ Labs CellScan signal detection system, which was recently created to help corrections officials locate cell phones illegally used in their facilities, would accurately track the location and signal of any cell phone used at any time during a flight. Realtime signal tracking and reporting would help flight staff immediately target cell phones and electronic devices so they could make the decisions necessary to ensure the safety of fellow staff and passengers.