A new report from communications regulator Ofcom has claimed that high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi could be available to passengers by next year, reports telegraph.co.uk.
The research said Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms are already capable of delivering connections up to ten times faster than those available on buses and trains.
A barrier to these plans is the lack of technology to harness these signals and bring them down to earth for use in various forms of transport, including airplanes, ferries and trains.
Ofcom’s publication moots the idea of freeing up a relatively large amount of spectrum to provide connections with higher capacity than the ones currently being used.
Charles Jenne, the regulator’s policy director, said: “Recent innovations in satellite technology mean it is now possible for aircraft, ships and trains to access the internet at speeds closer to what you’d expect from home broadband.”
According to bbc.co.uk, several commercial satellite operators have declared an interest in launching networks that support the use of Mobile Platforms.
Richard D’Cruze, British Airways’ in-flight entertainment and technology manager, said the airline was “closely monitoring” developments in relation to both satellite and direct air-to-ground technology.
Meanwhile a spokesman from Virgin said the company would welcome any development that would “enhance customer experience”.
