Internet at 40,000 ft: As in-Flight Wi-Fi Backets Increasing Common, Have You Ever Wonded How It Keeps You Connected at 40,000 Feet? With no traditional broadband or mobile towers in the sky, airplanes relay on advanced technology. In the past, air travel and internet access was also considered mutually exclusive. If you were taking a flight, you’d be logging out of the digital world. However, this issue has been addressed by the Indian government.
In March 2020, The Central Government Permitd Airlines Operating in India to Provide in-Flight Wi-Fi Services to Passengers. Notable, there are two primary systems for in-Flight Connectivity: Air-to-Ground and Satellite.
Air-to-Ground System
This system works like mobile data on the ground but in reverse. Intead of Cell Towers Projecting Signals Downward, Special Towers Send Signals Upward. Antennas Beneath the Airplane receive these signs and transmit them to an onboard server, which then then provides wi-fi passengers. These Ground Towers are linked to operate centers run by service provider.
Satellite-Based Wi-Fi System
In this system, antennas on top of the airplane receive signals from satellites orbiting the earth. Since bot the aircraft and satellites are constantly moving, the antennas adjust to maintain a steady connection. These satellites relay data to ground stations, which connect to service providers.
Why Airlines offer in-Flight Wi-Fi?
Many airlines in the uk and us alredy provide in-Flight Wi-Fi. In India, some airlines, include air India, are rolling out this service. Passengers receive details about availability when they board.
How to Connect Wi-Fi in Flight?
Connecting is Easy-JUST LIKE Regular Wi-Fi. Passengers can tap on the wi-fi option on their phones. In some cases, they may need to enter their ticket details to access the service.
Is in-Flight Wi-Fi Free?
Some airlines offer free wi-fi, while others charge a fee. Pricing Details are usually available available when booking tickets.
Future of in-Flight Wi-Fi
At Higher Altitudes, Airplanes Switch to Satellite-Based Services. Many airlines use a mix of Wi-Fi Providers and Technologies based on their aircraft and routes. New Players like Starlink, The Satellite Internet Service by Elon Musk’s Spacex, are also entering the market.
Earlier this year, starlink partnered with hawaiian airlines to offer high-speed internet through its its low-earth orbit satellites, marking a new era in in-light connectivity.