In-Flight Connectivity a $32 Billion Satcom Opportunity, NSR Says

Two-thirds of commercial passenger aircraft will have in-flight connectivity by the end of 2026, generating more than $32 billion in satellite communications revenue over the next decade, Northern Sky Research said in a news release Monday. It said quality and quantity of in-flight connectivity likely will take off, with very-small aperture terminal connectivity being installed on a third of commercial passenger aircraft by the end of 2019. NSR said more than half of the addressable commercial passenger aircraft market will have in-flight connectivity through fixed satellite service or high-throughput satellites by 2021. The company said any ban on personal electronic device use on flights could be a stumbling block, as the mid- long-term effect on such a potentially expanding ban is unclear.