On 21 April 2022, Aplon Musk’s SpaceX 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 h struck the agreement with semi-private jet service JSX and involved equipping 100 aeroplanes with Starlink terminals. The first Starlink-connected plane will take flight by year’s end, according to the statement by JSX.
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SpaceX CEO 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 worth of the partnership is yet to be disclosed.
Broadly, 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 an ample space with no buildings, such as a large ocean, the connection is usually seamless.
Second is the standard ground-based technology in which satellites connect to ground stations, and the airplane connects it using a satellite antenna. It works the same way a satellite TV signal is transmitted.
