The restriction on mobile phone use during flights is rooted in two primary concerns: technical safety and ground network integrity. Historically, aviation authorities like the FAA feared that the radio emissions from cell phones could interfere with a plane's sensitive avionics, such as navigation and communication systems. While modern aircraft are heavily shielded against electromagnetic interference (EMI), the rule persists as a safeguard against potential "bugs" in personal devices that might emit signals on restricted aviation frequencies. The second, often overlooked reason involves the FCC and ground networks. At 35,000 feet, a high-speed moving phone "sees" many cell towers at once and attempts to connect to all of them, which can clog the ground-based cellular network and cause technical issues for users below. Additionally, airlines maintain the rule to ensure passengers are attentive during safety briefings and to prevent the social disruption of hundreds of people making loud phone calls in a confined cabin space.