System and method for controlling wireless device use in an area

A control device for managing use of a wireless device within a vehicle, comprising:

• a transmitter configured to emit a mimic signal having characteristics sufficiently similar to a wireless base station to cause a wireless device to register with the control device;
• a receiver configured to receive data from the wireless device;
• and
• a controller connected to the receiver, the transmitter, and to an interface of the vehicle;
• wherein the controller is configured to respond to the receiver to receive attempts to establish a wireless communications session by the wireless device;
• and
• wherein the transmitter is configured to respond to the controller to selectively establish a wireless communications session between the wireless device and an external network when the wireless device is connected to the vehicle interface via a tether unit.

A tether unit for managing use of a wireless device within a vehicle, comprising:

• a first connector adapted to be connected to a wireless device;
• a second connected adapted to be connected to a portion of the vehicle;
• and
• a tether interface configured to receive identification data for that wireless device that allows the wireless device to operate within the vehicle;
• wherein the tether unit has a length sufficient to reach a passenger in the vehicle but not a length sufficient to reach the driver.