ELON Musk is planning to offer satellite internet service aboard airplanes next year.
The SpaceX CEO announced that his company will officially launch Starlink Aviation as soon as 2023.
Starlink Aviation is a high-speed in-flight internet provider that will offer connectivity across the globe, according to Starlink’s website.
“With Starlink [Aviation], passengers will be able to access high-speed, low-latency internet from the moment they walk on their plane,” SpaceX tweeted on Tuesday.
The company claims the service will provide internet speeds of up to 350Mbps to planes equipped with its Aero Terminal.
Speeds reaching 350Mbps are supposedly fast enough for video calls, online gaming, VPNs, “and other high data rate activities.”
Pricing for the new technology will range from $12,500 to $25,000 a month.
There is also a one-time hardware cost of $150,000 for the aero terminal, which Starlink describes as “low-profile”.
How will it work?
Because Starlink satellites are moving in low-Earth orbit, “there are always satellites overhead or nearby to provide a strong signal at high latitudes and in polar regions”, Starlink explained on its webpage.
This is unlike geostationary satellites, which orbit the Earth from a fixed point at 22,237 miles above our surface.
When will it work?
Service will reportedly be available in flight over both land and water, and on the ground during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
“As long as the equipment is powered on and the Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky, the connection is possible,” Starlink’s website noted.
Test flights
On one recent test flight, Starlink Aviation was able to offer 100Mbps internet speed onboard a flight between Burbanks and San José, according to Aviacionline.
Earlier this year, Starlink also tested its internet on Delta Air Lines, according to Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian.
While both Starlink and Delta were tight-lipped on the specifics surrounding the exploratory testing, Musk was vocal about his vision to bring the internet to space, remote countries, and airplanes.
Last year, Musk confirmed in several tweets to fans that he was working on bringing Starlink internet to airlines.
“We are talking to airlines about installing Starlink. Please let them know if you want it on your airliner,” Musk replied to one Twitter user.
