In Screen Time, Tech reporter Rutger Otto writes on the internet every week. This time it is about WiFi on the plane.
I took the train to London last week. I think that is better in almost all respects than travel by plane. You don’t have to be present at the station that early, there is less hassle at the Security Check and you are immediately in the heart of the city after a few hours.
Yet there is one thing that I miss on the plane: the lack of internet. On the train you can view taps to your heart’s content by scrolling on Instagram and streaming series on Netflix. On the plane you are almost offline. A blessing! Often those hours in the air, at the start of a vacation or weekend away, are an ideal time to stimulate and get into relax mode.
That is why I think it is a shame that WiFi on the plane has been available more and more often in recent years. Although the options are limited. With a free login you can now send messages via whatsapp with many companies. And if you are willing to take the pocket, you will also get the opportunity to always be online on the plane.
The options are usually pricey (and the result is often disappointing). WiFi expert Jan Buis compares it with how the internet was offered in hotels years ago. “You had to buy a package to be able to go on WiFi,” he says. “You paid more money for more bandwidth. On the plane it also comes down to it: if you want more room on the network to be reserved for you during the trip, the costs will increase.”
Buis explains that it is in principle easier to offer WiFi in a plane than with people’s homes. “It is a metal pipe, so if you place a wifi point on the front and back, you basically cover the entire space. The signal does not have to continue any rooms or walls.”
The internet connection looks something else in practice. In Europe and above the oceans, passengers depend on internet reception via satellites. That often works slower and the strength of the signal is sensitive to weather conditions. In the United States, antennas on the ground is more often chosen, so that the signal has to travel less far and is more stable. The disadvantage is that you have no reach without antennas.
So it is not very simple. But now that more and more internet satellites float low around the earth, for example through Elon Musks company Starlink, the WiFi in the air in the future may also become better, faster and cheaper. Exactly what I am not waiting for.
But many people will like to stay accessible in the air. Tube belongs to those people, because he sees its benefits. “If you fly a lot, something goes wrong,” he says. “If you miss your connection or your suitcase is not included on the flight, you can already anticipate the plane.”
In Screen Time , Tech Reporter Rutger Otto Writes Weekly about the Internet. This time it’s about wifi on the plane.
I Took the Train to London Last Week. I think that’s better than traveling by plane in Almost Every Way. You don’t have to be at the station so Early, There’s Less Hassle at the Security Check and You’re in the Heart of the City After a Few Hours.
Yet there is one thing I miss about the plane: the lack of internet. On the train you can watch Tiktoks to Your Heart’s content, Scroll Through Reels on Instagram and Stream Series on Netflix. On the plane you are as good as offline. A blessing! Often Those Hours in the Air, at the Beginning of a Vacation Or Weekend Getaway, are an iDeal time to be forced to unwind and get Into Relax fashion.
That’s why I regret that wifi on the plane has Become Increasingly Avisable in recent years. Althegh the Options Remain Limited. With a free login, many companies nowadays Allow you to send messages via WhatsApp. And if you are willing to dig into your pocket, you also get the opportunity to always be online on the plane.
The Options Are Usual Pricey (And the Result is often Disappointing). WiFi expert Jan Buis Compares It To How Internet was sacrificed in hotels ago. “You then had to buy a package to be able to use wifi,” he says. “You pay more money for more bandwidth. It also comes down to that on the plane: if you want more space on the network to be reserved for you.
Tube Explains that it is basically Easier to sacrifice wifi on an airplane than at people’s homes. “It’s a metal pipe, so if you place a wifi point at the front and back, you basically cover the entire space. The signal does not have to go through rooms or walls.”
In practice, The Internet Connection Looks A Bit Different. In Europe and Above the Oceans, Passengers Depend on Internet Reception via Satellites. This of works more slowly and the strength of the signal is Sensitive to Weather Conditions. In the United States, Antennas are more often Chosen on the ground, so that the signal has to travel less far and is more stable. The Disadvantage is that you have no range without antennas.
So it’s not all that simple. But now that more and more internet satellites are floating low around the earth, for example via Elon Musk’s Company Starlink, WiFi in the Air May also Become Better, Faster and Cheaper in the Future. Exactly what I’m not waiting for.
But many people will like Being Able to Stay Connected in the Air. Buis is one of those people, because he sees the benefits in it. “If you fly a lot, Sometimes Goes Wrong,” He says. “If you miss your connection or your suuitcase has not leg tasks on the flight, you can already anticipate this on the plane.”