"Sorry I missed your email, I was on a plane." This response will not be valid in the coming years. Wi-Fi is becoming faster and cheaper, and many of the leading airlines have become a part of their aircraft that allows their customers to connect to the Internet while on their flight. But how the Wi-Fi network works in airplanes.
To simplify, there are two ways to signal the Internet to access your device at 35,000 feet:
First method is through land mobile broadband towers, which send signals up to the aircraft antennas (usually on the base of the fuselage). As you travel, the plane automatically connects signals from the nearest tower, so there is (theoretically at least) Browsing. But if you pass over large areas of water or in particular rough terrain, there may be a communication problem.
Second Method uses satellite technology. The aircraft are connected to satellites in the geostationary orbit (35,786 km above the planet), which transmit and receive signals to the Earth via receivers and transmitters. These are the same satellites that are used in television signals, weather forecasting, and covert military operations.
The reception plate is installed above the roof of the aircraft, and the router is usually installed to spread the wireless signal throughout the aircraft over some windows in a hidden manner, as shown in the following pictures
First method is through land mobile broadband towers, which send signals up to the aircraft antennas (usually on the base of the fuselage). As you travel, the plane automatically connects signals from the nearest tower, so there is (theoretically at least) Browsing. But if you pass over large areas of water or in particular rough terrain, there may be a communication problem.
Second Method uses satellite technology. The aircraft are connected to satellites in the geostationary orbit (35,786 km above the planet), which transmit and receive signals to the Earth via receivers and transmitters. These are the same satellites that are used in television signals, weather forecasting, and covert military operations.
The reception plate is installed above the roof of the aircraft, and the router is usually installed to spread the wireless signal throughout the aircraft over some windows in a hidden manner, as shown in the following pictures
In both cases, the US has a more sophisticated infrastructure than anywhere else in the world, so US carriers have better (and cheaper) Wi-Fi than those in Europe.
Why is Wi-Fi in flight so slow?
Why is Wi-Fi in flight so slow?
Technology is evolving rapidly, but it has struggled to keep pace with the evolution of Wi-Fi-guzzling. Back in 2008, when Gogo (then known as Aircell) launched the first on-board Wi-Fi on board the Virgin America, the 3 Mbps connection was suitable for a few computers Portable (video streaming was blocked).
But now, every passenger with at least one device to connect to countless applications, sites and services, there is greater resource pressure. These days, satellite communication is about 12 Mbps, but satellite maintenance and upgrading are expensive - technology is also lagging behind.
Why is Wi-Fi during the trip so expensive?
All this technology does not come cheap. A range of fees - in addition to engineering and maintenance costs - are usually passed on to customers. The price of in-plane communication varies between airlines, although some offer free trials - for example, the first 10 MB on Emirates is free.
But now, every passenger with at least one device to connect to countless applications, sites and services, there is greater resource pressure. These days, satellite communication is about 12 Mbps, but satellite maintenance and upgrading are expensive - technology is also lagging behind.
Why is Wi-Fi during the trip so expensive?
All this technology does not come cheap. A range of fees - in addition to engineering and maintenance costs - are usually passed on to customers. The price of in-plane communication varies between airlines, although some offer free trials - for example, the first 10 MB on Emirates is free.
Will the Wi-Fi network speed up in the future?
Yes really. Inmarsat is working with Deutsche Telekom to develop the European Aeronautics Network (EAN), a high-capacity satellite network powered by ground towers, which is a "high reliability broadband air service" throughout Europe.
"More than half of the world's aircraft will be equipped with Wi-Fi during the flight in the next six years," says Inmarsat. "The revenue sector is expected to become $ 1 billion by 2020." At the same time, Jojo monopolizes the American Wi-Fi network while flying, with a network covering the whole country. It has been criticized for slow loading and download speeds, but the new 2Ku service updates antennas and satellite services, providing up to 70 megabits per second - much faster than your average ground connection.
"More than half of the world's aircraft will be equipped with Wi-Fi during the flight in the next six years," says Inmarsat. "The revenue sector is expected to become $ 1 billion by 2020." At the same time, Jojo monopolizes the American Wi-Fi network while flying, with a network covering the whole country. It has been criticized for slow loading and download speeds, but the new 2Ku service updates antennas and satellite services, providing up to 70 megabits per second - much faster than your average ground connection.
