In-cabin phone service by extending cellular Um interface

A ground cell phone system for use with an in-cabin cell phone system, the in-cabin cell phone system including, a UM interface, a cell phone for communicating over the Um interface, a custom device that emulates the Um interface and communicates with the cell phone, and a cabin transceiver connected to the custom device and for communicating with the custom device, the ground cell phone system comprising:

• a ground transceiver for communicating with the in-cabin transceiver;
• and
• a custom base station transceiver for communicating with the ground transceiver, the custom base station including a custom interface associated with the custom device that emulates the Um interface.

A ground cell phone system for use with an airborne cell phone system comprising a cabin-based system for communicating with a ground station, the ground cell phone system comprising:

• a base station transceiver disposed in the ground station and wherein an air interface (Um) is extended to a cabin-based mobile as if the cabin-based mobile is ground-based, wherein the ground station includes a handset emulator.