Starlink unveils in-flight internet service, powerful enough for all passengers to go online at once

Tram Ho

SpaceX is currently touting Starlink Aviation, a satellite internet service that promises up to 350Mbps of broadband with unlimited data for each aircraft it is installed on.

“Starlink can deliver speeds of up to 350Mbps per aircraft, allowing all passengers to access the Internet with streaming capabilities at the same time,” the company said. “With latency as low as 20 ms, passengers can engage in activities previously impossible in flight, including video calls, online gaming, virtual private networks, and high data rate activities. other.”

Starlink said the aircraft service will use a system called “Low Profile Aero Terminal ” with “electronically guided antenna arrays, allowing transmission with reliability, redundancy measures, and efficiency.” new capacity.” It has a simplified design so it can be installed with “minimum” downtime and pairs well with other routine maintenance checks. wireless access point.

Starlink tiết lộ dịch vụ internet trên máy bay, đủ mạnh để toàn bộ hành khách vào mạng cùng một lúc - Ảnh 1.

At least two airlines plan to use Starlink’s service.

The hardware cost as a one-time payment is $150,000, excluding installation. “Installation can be done by your existing maintenance organization or Starlink can recommend experienced and qualified installers,” the company said.

Starlink Aviation’s monthly service fee is $12,500 to $25,000. Starlink Aviation’s website says “there are no long-term contracts and all plans include unlimited data. Your hardware is covered by warranty as long as you subscribe to the service.” Potential customers can pre-order the service now, and deliveries will begin in mid-2023.

“The Internet on the plane will be like you are accessing the Internet at home,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on Twitter about the new service.

Starlink Aviation will have global coverage because “there are always satellites high above or nearby to provide strong signals at high latitudes and in the polar regions”, the FAQ section on the airline’s website says. “Service will be provided on the ground and also on the ground during stand-by, take-off and landing. As long as the instrument is powered on and Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky, you can connect.”

As of now, Starlink said it is preparing to obtain additional certification for a range of aircraft models. But they’re mostly business-class jets and Regional Jets (jets with less than 100 seats), but SpaceX says that “the Starlink engineering team will update this list as development begins on the platform.” additional planes.”

Starlink tiết lộ dịch vụ internet trên máy bay, đủ mạnh để toàn bộ hành khách vào mạng cùng một lúc - Ảnh 2.

Close-up of the Aero Terminal device after installation of Starlink.

Starlink recently received approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide Starlink satellite Internet service on vehicles, ships and aircraft. Even before receiving that approval, SpaceX was negotiating with airlines to put Starlink on flights. In April, Hawaiian Airlines said it would offer free Starlink service to passengers, starting next year.

Starlink Aviation can help SpaceX improve the financial situation of Starlink, which has already made a splash with its funding of terminals and services in Ukraine. However, recently Elon Musk said that SpaceX is losing about 20 million USD per month due to unpaid services and costs related to enhanced security measures.

SpaceX also lost $885.51 million in the FCC’s rural broadband grant, which will be delivered for 10 years, although the company is appealing that decision. The FCC doubts Starlink’s ability to meet the speed requirements of its broadband funding, because recent speed tests have shown that Starlink’s home Internet service is getting slower and slower as it becomes available. many users.

Starlink also did a test last month on a JSX Air flight, which reported internet speeds above 100Mbps. JSX Air CEO Alex Wilcox said the airline will start offering Starlink service on passenger flights in October. In a related article, Mr. Wilcox described Starlink’s performance on test flights. The experience was “ amazingly good.”

Refer to ArsTechnica, Starlink Aviation

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Source : Genk