Elon Musk’s SpaceX has signed its first deal with an air carrier to provide in-flight wireless internet using its Starlink satellite network. According to a report by Reuters, the company has struck the agreement with semi-private jet service JSX and involves equipping 100 planes with Starlink terminals. The first Starlink-connected plane will take flight by year’s end, as per JSX.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been for months in talks with multiple airlines regarding the in-flight wifi technology as it is trying to put high-speed internet on commercial airlines. The value of the partnership is yet to be disclosed.
In-flight connectivity systems use two kinds of technologies. First is the air-to-ground system in which an onboard antenna picks up signals from the nearest tower on the ground during the flight to enable internet connectivity inside.
Unless the aircraft is flying over a large space with no towers, such as a large ocean, the connection is usually seamless.
Second is the usual ground based technology in which satellites are used to connect to ground stations and the aircraft connects them with the help of a satellite antenna. It works the same way a satellite TV signal is transmitted.
SpaceX has been long attempting to disrupt the in-flight wifi connectivity market. Nowadays, a number of airlines offer in-flight WiFi which helps travellers to stay connected to the internet for work or entertainment purposes. It allows the user to make a call from the aircraft.
Since 2019, SpaceX has launched some 2,000 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Though the network is not yet fully deployed, it offers high-speed internet service to thousands of customers in some countries for $110 a month at a flat rate.
Delta Air Lines had also announced recently that it is testing Elon Musk’s satellite Wi-Fi service in an effort to improve wifi connectivity on board its aircraft, according to reports.
Starling planning to expand services in India?
According to a report by PTI in 2021, the company was reportedly planning to work with Indian telecom companies to expand its broadband services in the country.
Sanjay Bhargava, Starlink Country Director India at SpaceX, told news agency ANI that the company plans to start talks with service providers after NITI Aayog identified 12 phase-1 aspiration districts.
The company is currently offering its services in some areas in India for $99 which is fully refundable. The website also reveals that the company aims to have coverage by 2022 and that availability is subject to regulatory approval.
What is Starlink?
SpaceX, an aerospace company which was founded by Musk in 2002, operates the internet service. It is basically a satellite internet constellation that provides satellite-based Internet access to most of the Earth.
The constellation contains more than 1600 as of mid-2021 and will eventually have many thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit. The service is available in 20 countries as of November 2021.
Starlink satellite internet launch date in India
Information on Starlink’s website suggests that it is planning to launch its services in India in 2022. It has not provided the exact launch date. However, it is offering pre-bookings via its official website.
Starlink availability in India
Starlink will reportedly cover most of the major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengalurua and others. If you want to see whether it will be available at your location, you can visit the official website and fill your details to check if you can pre-book now. However, as advised by the government, you must refrain from doing so.
Starlink cost in India
For Indian addresses, the company has already started accepting pre-bookings at $99 (about Rs 7,300) towards deposit for the service. This payment is for the equipment that is installed at your address to access Internet service.
Internet speeds offered by Starlink
Starlink offers speeds between 50-150 Mbps during the current beta testing phase. However, Elon Musk had earlier said that the speeds will double up to reach 300 Mbps by the end of 2021.
Musk had also said that by the end of 2021, the project will cover “most of the world”.
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