In an era where connectivity is a key aspect of our daily life, the aviation industry is gearing up to reach new heights by embracing the implementation of 5G connectivity in airplanes. This technological leap not only promises enhanced in-flight experiences for passengers but also improves safety, operational efficiency, and communication between aircraft and ground control.
Transforma Insights recently published a report ‘Air Transport: Generating USD715 million through IoT by tracking aircraft location and providing on-board connectivity to passengers’ that emphasised the use of IoT in the monitoring and tracking of airplanes. Airlines are becoming increasingly focused on providing travellers with the best-in-class cabin experience and are incorporating newer technologies to ensure the same. This blog post focuses on the implementation of cellular connectivity on airplanes with the aim of eliminating the need for airplane mode, enabling passengers to remain connected throughout their flight.
IoT is being implemented in the aviation industry to benefit both the operators and passengers in various ways, including smoothing the process of travel and tourism, and ensuring that passengers can safely reach their destination on time, with minimal emissions.
The demand for connectivity and internet services on flights has also been increasing. According to Inmarsat’s annual In-flight Connectivity Survey 2023, 81% of passengers said that connectivity is important to them and 83% of respondents are ready to rebook with an airline if in-flight connectivity is good. More than 30 airlines, including AirAsia, Air France, British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic now allow the use of mobile phones and on-board connectivity services during the flight. More than 40 international authorities have authorised the use of mobile communications inside aircraft, including those of Asia, the EU, and Australia.
These days, flight operators are collaborating with communication operators to provide connectivity services inside airplanes. Although most communication is done via satellites, cellular can also be used to transmit data using air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity when possible. ATG offers a compelling alternative to satellites, especially in short-haul and medium-haul flights, by creating a direct link between aircraft and the ground to provide cellular connectivity, thereby eliminating the delays associated with satellite communications.
The EU is planning to mandate the installation of 5G connectivity in all aircraft. This will enable the passengers to use cellular connectivity on flights. The technology will make use of a device called a ‘picocell’ that will be installed on the aircraft and will use satellite connections to provide communication between the aircraft and the ground-based mobile network to provide connectivity to passengers. It will also act as a mini cellular tower inside the planes, which could be used to make phone calls, stream music and movies, and use other infotainment features. The EU nations will be one of the earliest adopters of 5G technology in aircraft as the European Commission has ruled that member nations must make 5G frequency bands accessible to aircraft by 30 June 2023.
The US is not expected to implement this exact solution as the frequency used by the US to deploy 5G cellular connectivity is between 3.7 to 4.2 GHz, which is expected to interfere with the altimeter signals of aircraft and provide false and inaccurate data readings. Europe on the other hand, uses frequencies below 3.8 GHz to provide 5G connectivity which provides enough cushion for it to not interfere with any sort of communication signals used by airplanes.
The implementation of 5G connectivity will pose a host of benefits for the industry. The lower latency and high-speed connectivity will enhance the overall experience for passengers, improve safety, and optimise operational efficiency. As the aviation industry embraces the implementation of 5G connectivity, the future of air travel is poised to be faster, smarter, and more connected than ever before. From providing passengers with high-speed internet access to enhancing flight operations and safety measures, 5G is set to redefine the in-flight experience for passengers. As we soar to new heights, the collaboration between technology innovators, airlines, and regulatory bodies will play a pivotal role in shaping the connected skies of tomorrow.
