QR Starlink wifi

[RooFlyer]

Just experienced QR's Starlink Wi-Fi. 200 Mbps. They offer live sport streaming.

One very interesting feature is that it’s available from the time you board the plane until you de-board at the end. None of that limiting 'only available in cruise mode'.

Can anyone say why they’ve got this liberal availability? Just company policy or is it something about Starlink that it's connected all the time?

 

[Human]

Reliable 200mbps onboard for the duration -- that really is a game-changer!

 

[kpc]

The WiFi is a hit and miss...recently from Mel to Doh the WiFi was not working the duration of the flight!

 

[markis10]

LEO (low earth orbit) satellites offer a mesh network rather than individual satellites that need to be tuned in. When an aircraft is on the ground or departing, heading changes are often frequent, making tuning in very hard for those satellites whereas it’s pretty easy for Leo networks. At cruise heading changes and turbulence are less likely.

Being a mesh network, the key to high bandwidth is offloading traffic ASAP, which is why ground stations play an important part in providing high bandwidth.