Virgin's In-Flight Wi-Fi Will Be Able To Handle Netflix
The Internet has become so ingrained in our digital culture that people have started to look for it, and in massive doses, even in places that, until a few years ago, you'd never imagine would offer the service. But while in-flight Wi-Fi is no longer rare as a unicorn, airlines are still in a race to advertise the fastest and best speeds on can offers miles up in the air. The latest to boast of this is Virgin America, whose partnership with ViaSat means that, theoretically, their planes' Wi-Fi will be good enough for video streaming.
Yes, video streaming. Netflix, YouTube, what have you. Now you have more options to while away those boring hours aside from the videos, music, and games you brought along with you. In-flight Wi-Fi has mostly been used for business purposes or even occasional online shopping. But why not use it for any whim if you have oodles of bandwidth to spare?
That bandwidth will be delivered by ViaSat's satellite network, currently ViaSat-1 and soon ViaSat-2. Satellite Internet has the distinct advantage over terrestrial ones when the plane's path takes it away from terra firma. Considering the shorter trip and reduced interference, it's also theoretically faster. The Ka-band ViaSat-1, for example, can offer speeds of up to 140 Gbps. Virgin is envisioning speeds of 8 to 10 times faster than their competition, matching passenger's Internet connections at home. Which are, more often than not, indeed used for streaming.
Virgin may pride itself for being a pioneer in in-flight Wi-Fi, but it isn't the first airline this year to resort to satellites in an attempt to offer faster Internet service. In February, Delta partnered with Go for its 2Ku satellite service. And just last month, aircraft maker Honeywell made a similar pact with Immarsat to do the same for it airplane line.
Virgin, however, may indeed be the first to actually make the service available. If all goes according to plan, the first airplane with a Ka-band antenna and ViaSat Internet will fly across the US September this year. However, the new satellite-based Wi-Fi will be heavily marketed on Virgin's Hawaiian flights starting some time in 2016.
SOURCE: Virgin