United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based satellite operator Yahsat today announced the successful trial of a 50Mbps in-flight WiFi connection.
Connecting to the Internet while flying has been possible for a while, but the speeds are often so slow that it is not worth it.
According to a 2016 global report by Routehappy, which rates flight amenities, it is possible for every one in three passengers worldwide to use WiFi on board, but only 6% of the flights with WiFi have connectivity that is comparable to a home broadband service. This means they are unable to use data-rich services such as video streaming, social media or online shopping.
Yahsat, in partnership with UAE telecoms operator du, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hughes Network Systems and Carlisle Interconnect, says the faster WiFi speeds should be available for airlines to offer to their passengers within the next year.
Using Yahsat's Al Yah 2 satellite, and the latest generation Ka-band technology, the test took place in Abu Dhabi, simulating the environment found on an Airbus A320 aircraft.
A public test of the technology will take place at the Dubai Airshow 2017 from 12 to 16 November.
"We look forward to showcasing the technology at the Dubai Airshow, and ultimately transforming the in-flight connectivity experience for passengers," says Masood M Sharif Mahmood, CEO of Yahsat.
"This is a first for commercial aviation and Etihad Airways Engineering is delighted to be part of this exciting and challenging project... this latest initiative with Yahsat and du will ensure today's travellers will enjoy the high-speed connectivity they already experience on the ground," says Abdul Khaliq Saeed, Etihad Airways Engineering CEO.
Saleem Al Blooshi, chief infrastructure officer at du, says the operator will introduce data analytics as well as its backend systems to the inflight WiFi, which will enable airlines to study their passengers' user behaviour and enhance the customer experience on board.
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