Elon Musk plans to deliver Internet to passenger aircraft through its Starlink broadband satellite network.
SpaceX’s CEO tweeted that his company was talking to U.S. airlines about providing their customers with in-flight Wi-Fi and urged followers to tell airlines to get on board.
“Yes, we are talking to airlines about installing Starlink. Please let them know if you would like it on your plane, ”the entrepreneur told a follower when asked about the possibility.
“Low latency ~ half gigabit connectivity in the air!”
Mr Musk didn’t mention how much the service would cost passengers as most WiFi packages have to be paid for onboard.
Starlink is SpaceX’s Internet network, powered by thousands of satellites, capable of providing high-speed connections to consumers anywhere on earth.
SpaceX has launched 1,740 Starlink satellites to date and the service already has more than 100,000 users in 14 countries participating in a beta test worth $ 99 per month.
Airlines are currently partnering with satellite broadband providers, but with Starlink satellites in much closer orbit to Earth, this could increase the internet speeds available to passengers.
Earlier this year, Mr Musk tweeted that testing had focused on the Boeing 737, Airbus A320 and Gulfstream aircraft “as these serve the most people.”
SpaceX Vice President Jonathan Hofeller said the company was “in talks with several” airlines to add Starlink WiFi and that they had an “aviation product in development.”
In March, SpaceX filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for regulatory approval to connect Starlink satellites to cars, trucks, cargo ships, and planes.
Starlink’s beta program is currently aimed at rural areas in the US, with an antenna and router costing $ 499 and delivering speeds between 70 and 130 Mbps.
In July, the California Highway Patrol stopped a driver who had a Starlink key attached to the hood of his Toyota Prius.
“Yes, it is actually illegal to mount a satellite dish on the hood of your vehicle,” said a Facebook post from CHP.
“It’s about security guards. These are the real Highway Patrol stories. Everyone travels safely. ”
Source : Pageview.com
