{"id":61831,"date":"2019-08-16T17:06:24","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T09:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/a-roadmap-for-incredible-ifc\/"},"modified":"2019-08-16T17:06:24","modified_gmt":"2019-08-16T09:06:24","slug":"a-roadmap-for-incredible-ifc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/a-roadmap-for-incredible-ifc\/","title":{"rendered":"A Roadmap for Incredible IFC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>During the summer travel season, I won\u2019t lie that In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) is at least one of the criteria my family uses to decide which airline we travel. And, while I\u2019m the first one to pull out my devices and do a speed test, speed alone is not enough to have \u201cincredible passenger Wi-Fi.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last June was the Global Connected Aircraft Summit, an event I\u2019ve had the privilege to speak at and attend since its inception. At the beginning, most conversations around IFC were \u201cShould I?\u201d or \u201cKu- versus Ka-band.\u201d While the \u201cShould I?\u201d question still lingers in some of the emerging markets such as Latin America, most have progressed into the \u201cHow do I?\u201d And that is a far more interesting question.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lZiLN0fxQX6peE4344K7_VS_090119_Cover_DGTL-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lZiLN0fxQX6peE4344K7_VS_090119_Cover_DGTL-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lZiLN0fxQX6peE4344K7_VS_090119_Cover_DGTL-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lZiLN0fxQX6peE4344K7_VS_090119_Cover_DGTL-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lZiLN0fxQX6peE4344K7_VS_090119_Cover_DGTL.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the September 2019 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>Sure, part of the \u201chow\u201d is a very technical understanding of rain fade, skew angles, link margins, coverage patterns, etc. But, \u201cWhy am I\u201d putting an antenna on the roof of my plane that is not only very expensive, but will continue to cost money due to increased drag or weight? Why am I signing a long-term contract on a service that at its best, is less throughput than what passengers had at the gates from their cell phones? Why am I building complex monetization strategies around free texting versus limited browsing versus streaming packages? Why am I\u2026 the list goes on.<\/p>\n<p>Few airlines have created a winning solution to both the very technical and business-centric problems around IFC \u2014 In short, because they frequently ask the most important question last. Instead, let NSR outline how airlines should think about deploying or expanding IFC:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Do your customers want (better) connectivity? <\/h3>\n<p>The answer is probably yes. At the most fundamental level, connectivity has become a core component of daily lives \u2014 especially those with enough income to afford air travel. Be it for business or pleasure, your passengers consume connectivity on a daily, if not hourly basis, when they are \u201cnot your passenger.\u201d Just like having some of their favorite drinks, shouldn\u2019t you also have some of their favorite connectivity? And sometimes, the \u201ccustomers\u201d aren\u2019t passengers at all.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a692ab03fb68;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a692ab03fb68 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a692ab03fb69').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a692ab03fb69'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<h3>2. Are your competitors providing it?<\/h3>\n<p>If yes, then you probably must as well. If you both already have it, then your solution will need to be at least as good as everyone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Will passengers pay for it?<\/h3>\n<p>This is where things get interesting \u2014paid versus \u201cfreemium\u201d versus. sponsorship versus fully free. All of these models have their place based on the specific breakdown and analysis within questions # 1 and # 2. The easiest is a paid service \u2014 it rations the experience to those most in need and reduces the overall connectivity requirements for airlines. It also, probably, generates the most frustration when it breaks. Fully free is the most complex \u2014 requiring careful management of Service Levels Agreements (SLAs) and contract terms between airlines and aero service providers. \u201cFreemium\u201d is like the app store \u2014 hugely successful in terms of take rates, with profitability\/revenues a mixed bag. Sponsorship is like, well\u2026 the decorations that sit next to the cake at a fancy dinner. If you have those, you\u2019ve probably already figured out the cake and icing. At the end of the day, people feel less frustrated when free texting doesn\u2019t work \u2014 and are pretty upset when they upgrade to the paid version and it breaks.<\/p>\n<h3>4. What business goal is connectivity solving? <\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes remaining competitive is enough. However, given the huge expenses associated with taking airplanes out of service, as well as recurring monthly service fees for connectivity, stopping there usually isn\u2019t enough. Instead, connectivity is usually leveraged across the entire airline\u2019s operations in order to gain operational efficiencies alongside increased passenger satisfaction. And if isn\u2019t\u2026 then someone in tech ops will want to use the Wi-Fi to download something to improve on-time performance, eventually. <\/p>\n<p>From here, you should have a clear understanding of not only the what to connect but how much to connect it.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Which technical\/vendor solution best fits my planes, routes, and operational ethos? <\/h3>\n<p>Last is an analysis of the technical solutions which best-fit all of the business-centric needs for connectivity. Once you\u2019ve built some firm ideas around what the objectives of connectivity are \u2013 then you can have substantive discussions around which technical solution will best-fit your needs. If your competitors are providing a multi-tiered connectivity solution on their domestic narrow-body fleet \u2013 then you probably should as well. If business travelers are mostly on your wide-body fleet that usually travels specific routes \u2013 then that should be a higher priority in vendor selection vs. \u2018incredible domestic Wi-Fi\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>Focusing on Ku- versus Ka-band or Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) versus Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) versus Geostationary Orbit (GEO) or High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) versus Fixed Service Satellite (FSS) already assumes you have a clear understanding of questions #1-4.<\/p>\n<p>The satellite sector is changing faster than ever \u2014 and that pace is accelerating quicker than ever before. Ten years ago, a single satellite would dramatically change supply versus demand. Today, supply is quickly and rapidly outweighing demand in almost all regions, orbits, and frequencies. Single satellites matter a lot less \u2014 ecosystems of capacity matter more. Be those service provider or satellite operator-established \u2014 the technology, business models, and contracts that are used to stich these solutions together should be the focus.<\/p>\n<p>Bottom line, regardless if you are an airline looking to adopt or improve onboard connectivity or a satcom vendor providing the solution \u2014 all answers should start at a simple question, \u201cWhat is \u2018incredible connectivity\u2019 to my key stakeholders?\u201d <\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406316:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"231\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pqfl00kRq5oKauve4jmQ_VS_090119_GEOLEO-300x231.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pqfl00kRq5oKauve4jmQ_VS_090119_GEOLEO-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pqfl00kRq5oKauve4jmQ_VS_090119_GEOLEO-800x616.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pqfl00kRq5oKauve4jmQ_VS_090119_GEOLEO-640x493.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pqfl00kRq5oKauve4jmQ_VS_090119_GEOLEO.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tABS, Spacecom, and StarOne CEOs Outline CapEx Visions<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406339:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XEEcVopzT1i7OBO9z21J_EdNote_Header_Web-300x167.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XEEcVopzT1i7OBO9z21J_EdNote_Header_Web-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XEEcVopzT1i7OBO9z21J_EdNote_Header_Web-800x446.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XEEcVopzT1i7OBO9z21J_EdNote_Header_Web-640x357.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/XEEcVopzT1i7OBO9z21J_EdNote_Header_Web.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tCongratulations to Telesat, 50 Years Young<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406325:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/V3iMCbFaQcSFN3wHdwqG_shutterstock_436942042-300x220.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/V3iMCbFaQcSFN3wHdwqG_shutterstock_436942042-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/V3iMCbFaQcSFN3wHdwqG_shutterstock_436942042-800x587.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/V3iMCbFaQcSFN3wHdwqG_shutterstock_436942042-640x470.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/V3iMCbFaQcSFN3wHdwqG_shutterstock_436942042.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tFinding Success in the \u201cEverything\u201d Vertical<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406336:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-300x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/6oJXJ4gbTbSJNYo3VrHD_Opinion_Bubbles_Web.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tIFC in Mainland China: Will Reality Live Up to the Hype?<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406329:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Xh0P5HNrQAWL2heEua7o_VS_090119_Amplifiers-300x205.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Xh0P5HNrQAWL2heEua7o_VS_090119_Amplifiers-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Xh0P5HNrQAWL2heEua7o_VS_090119_Amplifiers-800x546.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Xh0P5HNrQAWL2heEua7o_VS_090119_Amplifiers-640x437.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Xh0P5HNrQAWL2heEua7o_VS_090119_Amplifiers.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tSay Hello to the Post-GEO World? Not so Fast<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406319:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079-200x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079-640x961.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kGSgF1uyTVGzShhB3o9H_Dan_Goldberg_0079.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tTelesat CEO: This is How We Are Going to Stay Ahead<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 406322:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"162\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7ZUvBNUrR7aZCZw69cBG_VS_090119_Antenna-300x162.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7ZUvBNUrR7aZCZw69cBG_VS_090119_Antenna-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7ZUvBNUrR7aZCZw69cBG_VS_090119_Antenna-800x433.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7ZUvBNUrR7aZCZw69cBG_VS_090119_Antenna-640x346.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7ZUvBNUrR7aZCZw69cBG_VS_090119_Antenna.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tWhen it Comes to Antennas, it\u2019s All About Price<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the summer travel season, I won\u2019t lie that In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) is at least one of the criteria my family uses to decide which airline we travel. And, while I\u2019m the first one to pull out my devices and do a speed test, speed alone is not enough to have \u201cincredible passenger Wi-Fi.\u201d Last [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61834,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61831"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}