"from calculations we see that the total capacity of the satellite component is, for Europe, 100 Megabits per second"
That doesn't sound like it's going to improve inflight WiFi much. They do mention also downward connectivity to cell towers, so hopefully the satellite link isn't used much. There's not much info on how many spots over Europe won't be covered by the ground cell towers.
Edit: I do find the grumbling about inflight WiFi performance funny. You're in a metal tube that twists and turns, 5+ miles high in the sky, going 500mph. Installing the system means cutting a huge hole in the plane and detailed certification testing down to every wire connector...and thus nothing can be upgraded at a normal pace. Isn't being able to check your email novel enough? Why are you surprised that YouTube doesn't work well?
Sometimes I feel as if I'm the only person who genuinely doesn't care if I'm disconnected for some number of hours while I'm in a plane. I have reading material, downloaded video, and various apps. I almost appreciate flying time as an opportunity to catch up on various things without distraction.
I guess it's never going to happen, but wouldn't it be pretty cool if Netflix/HBO/Spotify provided a content mirror on the aircraft? Could probably only carry a subset of all content, but pretty cool to just open your app and get some nice Silicon Valley episodes man-in-the-middle delivered to your device of choice.
United and, I'm sure, other airlines have a variety of TV shows and movies that you can stream to their app on your phone and tablet over WiFi. Also note that both Netflix and Amazon allow you to download content for offline viewing these days though HBO doesn't currently AFAIK.
They have music stations as well although I've never used them as I keep a pretty large library on my phone.
It does (sort of) exist for things that aren't on-demand, but rather more like live TV, as the 1-to-many broadcast means less satellite bandwidth used. Some airlines use this today. They should use a local server on the aircraft to cache stuff for "on demand", though I don't think any are doing this today.
I know that the laptop bans are currently only on inter-continental routes, but investors in this kind of system must be watching the laptop ban in horror of things to come.
Airlines can creatively work around this. They could provide a browser on seat-back touch screens, which would be satisfactory to most customers, who just want to watch HBO, Netflix, Hulu (maybe not in Europe), or YouTube.
Also, smartphones have WiFi, so that's a way for the security-aware to control the device for typing your very important passwords into. Bring a Bluetooth keyboard and a phone mount with a built-in magnifying glass, and it's almost a laptop!
Just when you thought flying couldn't get any worse, now you'll have some loudmouth chatterbox facetiming with their friends for hours talking inane b*t.
[+] [-] tyingq|8 years ago|reply
That doesn't sound like it's going to improve inflight WiFi much. They do mention also downward connectivity to cell towers, so hopefully the satellite link isn't used much. There's not much info on how many spots over Europe won't be covered by the ground cell towers.
Edit: I do find the grumbling about inflight WiFi performance funny. You're in a metal tube that twists and turns, 5+ miles high in the sky, going 500mph. Installing the system means cutting a huge hole in the plane and detailed certification testing down to every wire connector...and thus nothing can be upgraded at a normal pace. Isn't being able to check your email novel enough? Why are you surprised that YouTube doesn't work well?
[+] [-] ghaff|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vidarh|8 years ago|reply
It was novel a few years ago. It's not any more. At least not for regular travellers.
[+] [-] filleokus|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ghaff|8 years ago|reply
They have music stations as well although I've never used them as I keep a pretty large library on my phone.
[+] [-] tyingq|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] willvarfar|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] krallja|8 years ago|reply
Also, smartphones have WiFi, so that's a way for the security-aware to control the device for typing your very important passwords into. Bring a Bluetooth keyboard and a phone mount with a built-in magnifying glass, and it's almost a laptop!
[+] [-] tyingq|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rb808|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ceejayoz|8 years ago|reply
I'd prefer a kid facetiming with Grandma to a kid with nothing to do.
[+] [-] tjohns|8 years ago|reply
[+] [-] funnyfacts365|8 years ago|reply