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Use WiFi in Your Next Flight

In the ever-connected world that we live in today, it's odd to know that certain spots don't yet have reliable internet - one of which are airplanes. But if SpaceX has anything to do with it, it'll make that happen.

What is SpaceX?

SpaceX is a private spaceflight company that puts satellites into orbit and delivers cargo and, more recently, crew to the International Space Station (ISS). Founded by Elon Musk.

SpaceX is reportedly in talks with "several airlines" about providing their aircraft with Starlink satellites' internet network to provide travellers onboard flights with faster internet speed.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is the company's capital-intensive project to build an interconnected internet network with thousands of satellites, known in the space industry as a constellation. It has already launched 1800 satellites out of the planned 4,440 and plans to provide global coverage with high-speed broadband internet. The service initially was meant for rural homes where fiber connections are not possible and the company promises speeds up to 100Mbps for downloads and 20Mbps for uploads.

How does satellite internet even work?

In order for Starlink's network to be able to provide internet to moving planes, its satellites would have to be interconnected, said Hofeller, which would bounce signals off ground stations and would enable them to "talk" to each other with laser links.

Currently, Starlink's beta plan offers a one-off fee of $499 to its customers for its internet bundle that includes the Starlink satellite dish, and WiFi router. Then, customers have to pay $99 a month for its internet services - the hope is that its price will lower as Starlink's satellite network gets stronger and less exclusive.

How will WiFi services work in skies?

Hofeller said that the design of airline antennas would be similar to technology used in consumer terminals. These antennas, outfitted on planes, will communicate with ground stations that link up with Starlink satellites.

And if you're boarding a transatlantic flight, Starlink will change the game, by using a high number of satellites, and installing interconnectivity functionality between those satellites where coverage has traditionally been spotty or slow due to the distance the signal must travel.

More airplanes do already offer in-flight WiFi usually for a fee, but it's more primitive. "Passengers and customers want a great experience that [geosynchronous satellite] systems simply cannot provide" Hofeller said. Though, a timeline is not mentioned for when Starlink will begin inflight services, saying that an announcement is coming "hopefully sooner rather than later." 


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