How internet is provided on flight?
Posted on: 20/Jan/2018 12:25:01 PM
Now, travelers in India can access in flight internet services. Here is all you need to know about onboard internet.
Broadly, there are two ways to get an internet signal onto something that is 35,000 feet above ground:
Ground-to-air, which is technology that uses ground-based mobile broadband towers. The aircraft is installed with antennae on the fuselage to pick up signals from ground towers that are closest to flight path. The technology isn`t highly reliable for on-board connectivity on flights that fly over vast water-bodies like the oceans.
Via satellite signals are expected to be more popular in the future. Satellite technology overcomes the hurdle of receiving signals over vast water bodies. The aircraft antennae connect to satellites in geostationary orbit (satellites that rotate along with the Earth and so, in effect, remain stationary with respect to the Earth) using receivers and transmitters. All information between ground and aircraft is passed via satellite and once the aircraft`s antennae pick up signals, on-board routers distribute the wifi signal throughout the aircraft. Satellite connection can offer speeds of about 12 mbps.
In-flight connectivity is much more expensive than on-ground connectivity. Most airlines charge based on use - whether wifi is used on phone, tablet, or laptop. Laptop connectivity is the most expensive
