The present invention is a system and method for monitoring transmitting portable electronic devices (T-PEDs). The system may comprise one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF) sensors; (b) a processing unit; and (c) a T-PED detection notification system. The RF sensors may be distributed throughout a given space in a substantially uniform arrangement so as to provide a nodal environment whereby the RF transmissions of a given T-PED may be associated with one or more RF sensors thereby allowing the monitoring system to calculate the location of the T-PED. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the RF sensors are integrated within the distributed network of an in-flight entertainment system of an aircraft.