SpaceX's in-flight Wi-Fi, Starlink Aviation, takes to the skies
- Reference: 1666200614
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/10/19/starlink_aviation/
- Source link:
Hawaiian Airlines announced earlier this year that it would be [1]the first major carrier to provide free Wi-Fi to passengers through the Starlink broadband satellite network.
However, at the time, the airline-focused part of the business lacked specific branding. SpaceX announced the official launch of the service via Twitter earlier this morning [2]along with a website explaining the service.
With Starlink, passengers will be able to access high-speed, low-latency internet from the moment they walk on their plane → [3]https://t.co/bcn8jvpKgi [4]pic.twitter.com/mDDQou1ZA3 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) [5]October 19, 2022
The company says that Starlink will be able to provide up to 350Mbps broadband to planes fitted with its specially designed, low profile Aero Terminal, which features an electronically steered phased array antenna to enable "new levels of reliability, redundancy and performance."
This means passengers will be able to make video calls, play online games, use VPNs and perform other bandwidth-munching activities "with latency as low as 20ms," it is claimed.
[6]Musk says Starlink will keep providing free service to Ukraine
[7]Intel chips in on optical modem for DARPA's 'internet of satellites'
[8]Viasat and Inmarsat $7.3b tie-up delayed over competition concerns
[9]Block this: Using satellites to plaster ads over our skies could work, say boffins
SpaceX says the Aero Terminal is straightforward to install and can be done during other routine maintenance checks. Purchasing airlines will receive a power supply, two wireless access points, and harnesses along with the terminal.
The reason Hawaiian Airlines tapped SpaceX for in-flight internet was that it was difficult to provide reliable Wi-Fi over the Pacific Ocean. "We waited until technology caught up with our high standards for guest experience, but it will be worth the wait," CEO Peter Ingram [10]said the time . "Our guests can look forward to fast, seamless and free Wi-Fi to complement our award-winning onboard Hawaiian hospitality."
[11]
"As the world's largest satellite constellation with coverage over land, the oceans and polar regions, Starlink is positioned to connect passengers wherever your flight routes evolve," SpaceX says.
[12]
The financial terms of the contract were not revealed in April, but now we have more idea of the costs involved for interested airlines – and it's a little more expensive than regular consumer Starlink.
The hardware kit has a price tag of $150,000 and internet subscription ranges from $12,500 to $25,000 a month depending on the airline's needs. The product is available to reserve and pre-order for $5,000, with the service starting from mid-2023.
[13]
The new service will also share its name with Canadian private jet charter company [14]Starlink Aviation , which says on its website that it guarantees "privacy and discretion" for its no doubt well-heeled customers. We asked the company about this, and it said: "We were made aware of the decision from SpaceX and are currently looking if it does in fact infringe on our trademark." ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2022/04/25/starlink_internet_hawaiian/
[2] https://www.starlink.com/aviation
[3] https://t.co/bcn8jvpKgi
[4] https://t.co/mDDQou1ZA3
[5] https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1582552632798765056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/17/musk/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/11/intel_darpa_internet_satellites/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/07/viasat_and_inmarsat_73bn_tieup/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/06/space_satellite_advertising/
[10] https://newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/releases/hawaiian-airlines-to-offer-free-high-speed-starlink-internet-connectivity-on-transpacific-fleet
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Y1BzddAWV7RtrCgyQeX5-QAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y1BzddAWV7RtrCgyQeX5-QAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/networks&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y1BzddAWV7RtrCgyQeX5-QAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://starlinkaviation.com/
[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: REgulatory Approval
If the plane already has approved wifi then an external antennae that isn't safety critical is a lot easier to approve.
Especially for a narrow beamed system like SpaceX
Easier isn't easy, or fast
But you are both correct, that the systems need to be flight rated before they can be rolled out, both for the system and for the different plane classes. But with the prospect of billing it back to the passengers, I suspect this will proceed as quickly as the in flight phones that most passengers wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.
I remember seeing those on the seat backs on planes that still had tiny CRT screens that must have weighed 65lbs each instead flat screens that would have saved hundreds of pounds in flight weight across the cabin. Airlines calculated the costs and decided the extra fuel and lost cargo revenue was cheaper than the refits. But if even a couple of idle rich or middle class suckers swiped a CC for the Airphone, cha-ching! $$
Re: Easier isn't easy, or fast
The planes already have in-flight wifi that you pay for (or get a points deal)
But that normally uses links to ground cell networks, this works over the ocean or over desolate wastelands like Greenland/Canada/Lincolnshire
..... Was gonna say ....
Starlink Aviation has a desk at the local small airport here, I was kinda wondering there......
(And if you're thinking money counts, as small an operation as they are, they've got plenty of cash, so lawyers could come out)
The kit is kinda pricey, but one would have to compare it to what the alternatives charge, both for the hardware and subscription and bandwidth. Would be an interesting comparison.
REgulatory Approval
No mention of any regulator approval. Its pretty much a non-starter unless FAA/CAA/EASA have approvals in train. Look how long it took them to update mobile phone advice.