The third option is: Cell phones can in remote circumstances cause interference, but seldom enough to warrant banning all electronic devices with the massive re

The third option is: Cell phones can in remote circumstances cause interference, but seldom enough to warrant banning all electronic devices with the massive revenue loss that would ensue. Likewise people are still allowed to bring lithium batteries even if they pose a fire hazard with several documented in flight incidents. In the real world, regulations are the result of trade-offs and not absolutes. It's just that the current trade-offs seem to err on the side of safety.