Watching Netflix on a plane soon possible thanks to Starlink?

A video recently posted to Twitter highlighted the breathtaking capabilities of the Starlink network in flight, delivering connection speeds in excess of 200 Mbps. Is this advance transforming Internet access on planes?

Innovation continues in the field of satellite connectivity. Starlink, SpaceX’s ambitious project, recently launched “Starlink Direct to Cell”, aiming to provide messaging, voice and mobile data service over the LTE network anywhere in the world. SpaceX’s plans for its satellite ISP include the ability to send satellite messages from 2024and add voice calls as well as reception of mobile data in 2025. This service promises to work with existing LTE phones, without modification hardware or software, using an advanced eNodeB modem acting as a cell tower in space.

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But can’t we go even further? With a broadband connection from an airplanepassengers could enjoy seamless internet connectivity, allowing them to watch streaming content like Netflix on long journeys like Paris-New York. This also opens up the possibility of surfing the Internet or playing online games without depending often expensive in-flight services airlines. And that’s precisely the whole point of high-speed satellite Internet access.

Starlink tests broadband connection from an airplane

This initiative was highlighted by a video published on X (which you can find below), showing a plane passenger connecting to this service with impressive speeds. In this document, we can see, in the hand of a user, a smartphone ready to be connected to the Starlink network. He then starts an application that measures his internet connection speed. Instantly it rises and quickly exceeds 200 Mb/s. This visual demonstration is striking and direct. It highlights the ease of use and performance of Starlink at altitude.

Starlink offers impressive internet speeds. In France, the service launched at €499 with a monthly subscription of €99, but prices were reduced in August 2022, now offering the hardware at €637 and the subscription at €50 per month. Its success is not limited to France. In Germany, a user achieved connection speeds of up to 638 Mb/s download and 177 to 208 Mb/s upload. However, tests carried out by Ookla indicate that download speed can be six times slower in the event of network congestion. See you in 2025 to see if the company will meet expectations with its smartphone connection speeds. In particular, when millions of people will be connected at the same time.