China Eastern Airlines and China Telecom to launch the first domestic satellite broadband WiFi

Experience users to use the machine WiFi WeChat WiFi friends circle. Figure / CFP

Yesterday morning, the first commercial test flight conducted by China Eastern on the Shanghai-Beijing round-trip route with WiFi, the first domestic satellite broadband service launched by China Eastern Airlines and China Telecom, marked the beginning of the service launch of airborne Internet service to civil aviation passengers. However, according to the regulations of the civil aviation, the mobile phone must be closed all the time and the flight mode is not allowed. Therefore, the access device can only use the pad and the laptop.

The completed modification and testing involved an Airbus A330 wide-bodied passenger aircraft that provided airborne Internet commercial testing services using Ku-band communications technology through the Asia-Pacific No. 6 Geosynchronous orbit communications satellite. Previously, Air China conducted two media experience flights of air-ground communications using L-band maritime satellite technology and ATG technology respectively.

"The principle of ATG technology is that ground base stations transmit signals to the air to realize air-ground interconnection. This method requires setting up a ground base station in the flight path and transmitting network signals to the sky. Due to the topography and weather restrictions, the input cost is large and can not be transatlantic Flying, "said Zhou Hong, senior engineer of Satellite Communications Association." Ku-band communications satellites cover most of the world except the North and South Poles and are faster and more capable than L-band maritime satellites. "

The commercial trial of onboard WiFi to theoretical speed of 50M, remove the transmission loss and other factors, the actual maximum bandwidth of 32M. If the 200 people at the same time on the Internet, to achieve web browsing, WeChat interaction, air shopping. If 40-50 people at the same time online, but also to complete open space video connection, online video playback. After connecting the WiFi on the machine through the electronic device, the traveler must enter a real-name authentication login code to access the Internet.

Prior to this commercial test, CEA has obtained the approval of CAAC and MIIT. The completed aircraft can fly in Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Guangzhou routes, and WiFi on board can be used by ordinary passengers. The commercial test time from now until the end of September, during which free of charge to passengers, the test section is Beijing to and from Shanghai, an Airbus A330 passenger plane. For passengers to participate in the test in what form, China Eastern Airlines said it is studying the possible scenario is through online shopping, lottery draw, etc. to obtain real-name login verification code.

■ ask

1. Conditions of use

Satellite communications on the plane and in-cabin Wi-Fi devices will automatically turn on after the aircraft has climbed 3,000 meters and will automatically shut down when the aircraft altitude falls below this level. When the plane encounters a serious turbulence in the air flow, the device will automatically shut down for a short time.

When popularized

China Eastern Airlines said that the test of this domestic route will be completed by the end of September, when China Eastern Airlines will continue to launch international commercial satellite service on the satellite WiFi test. After commercial testing, CEA is expected to formally launch its on-board WiFi service in October. However, the Civil Aviation Authority also needs approval.

Is it free?

"From the international experience, foreign airlines are on-board WiFi charges." Zhou said CEA is looking for a suitable business model, "one is by class, time charges, charges for the United States Southwest Airlines is 24 hours $ 8 and the other is WiFi free, but it can expand other services like advertising to cover costs. "