Elon Musk Wants Satellite Internet Inside Flights: 1740 Satellites Launched, 100,000 Users

After providing internet access globally, now Elon Musk’s Starlink broadband satellite network wants to deliver internet to passenger airplanes.

SpaceX Connectivity For Airlines

Presently, SpaceX is in talks with US airlines about providing their customers with in-flight wifi internet as its CEO tweeted further urging his followers to tell the airlines to get on board.

In the tweet, the entrepreneur said, “Yes, we are talking to airlines about installing Starlink. Please let them know if you want it on your airliner,” while answering a follower about the possibility.

Adding, “Low latency ~half gigabit connectivity in the air!”

Cost Yet Not Decided

So far, Mr. Musk did not mention the cost for this service as most in-flight wifi packages have to be paid for.

Here, Starlink is SpaceX’s internet network which is powered by thousands of satellites that can deliver high-speed connections to consumers anywhere on Earth.

Till now, SpaceX has so launched 1,740 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Boost In Internet Speed

Coming to services, it already has more than 100,000 users in 14 countries taking part in a $99-a-month beta test.

Presently, Airlines work with satellite broadband providers.

But with Starlink’s satellites could boost the internet speeds available to passengers as it is in much closer orbit to Earth.

Connecting Starlink Satellites to Cars, Trucks, Aircrafts

Prior to this, Mr Musk tweeted that testing had focused on Boeing 737, Airbus A320 and Gulfstream aircraft “as those serve the most number of people.”

The company was “in talks with several” airlines about adding Starlink wifi, and that they had an “aviation product in development” as mentioned by  SpaceX vice president Jonathan Hofeller. 

Before this, SpaceX made a Federal Communications Commission filing to get regulatory approval to connect Starlink satellites to cars, trucks, cargo ships and aircraft during March.

The network provider’s beta program is currently focused on rural areas of the US, with an antenna and router costing $499 and delivers speeds of between 70 to 130 Mbps.