B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 44; Flight Crew Total 8783; Flight Crew Type 7800
Situational Awareness; Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors
Over the course of the entire flight; we experienced frequent and multiple ACARS interruptions with 'ACARS NO COMM' messages.  In most cases; reselecting the ACARS comm frequency did not help - we also had to cycle COMM3 from DATA to voice and back to DATA.  On the PHLBO3 STAR into EWR; in VNAV PATH with A/P A engaged; the path was maintained; but the programmed speeds were not (the forecast descent winds were generally accurate).  Approaching 10;000; I switched to LEVEL CHANGE in order to slow to 250 knots as the A/P was attempting to descend at 271 knots.It's possible that both were caused by interference; so I requested a PA to insure that all cell phones were switched off or in the airplane mode.  After this announcement; there were no further issues.
B737 Captain reported possible interference from cell phones in the cabin that could account for the electronic anomalies they were experiencing during the flight.