Willing to pay for in-flight internet access

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Vietnam Airlines Corporation ( Vietnam Airlines ) have officially cooperated to deploy internet service on aircraft. In the first phase, this service will be installed on 10 Airbus A350 aircraft - a modern aircraft line currently operating long-haul international routes to the US, Europe and some domestic routes. After deploying in July 2025, Vietnam Airlines is expected to expand this service to the entire fleet from 2026.

Regarding technology, VNPT representative said that the system on the plane will be connected to the Viasat satellite network. Passengers can use personal devices, connect to the wifi on the plane via the satellite network, go down to the ground station and connect to the internet. The bandwidth is expected to reach a minimum of more than 3 Megabits/second with a service availability of 99%. "Passengers can text, surf the web, send emails or access social networks such as Facebook... during the flight" - VNPT network said.

Before the news that Vietnam Airlines is preparing to provide internet service on planes, Ms. Nguyen Diem Trinh (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), a frequent traveler by plane, expressed her eagerness to experience this service. "Being able to go online to watch videos , read newspapers or reply to emails and messages while on a flight is extremely convenient. If this service is soon expanded to other airlines, I believe that many passengers will also support it" - Ms. Trinh commented.

According to Mr. Le Hong Phuc (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), many international airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines... have deployed internet services on flights. As a person who often travels for work and by air, Mr. Phuc considers this service very useful for those who need to handle work continuously.

However, what many passengers are concerned about is the service fee. Vietnam Airlines has not yet announced specific fares, but for international airlines that have applied this service such as Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, United Airlines..., the cost is usually calculated based on the time package or usage capacity. For example, for short flights under 3 hours, passengers can buy a basic access package, with an average price of 8-15 USD; or choose a package for the entire flight for 10-20 USD. Meanwhile, for longer journeys, the cost of using the internet can be up to 30-40 USD. Some airlines offer free internet for business class passengers, frequent flyer members...

Mr. Huynh Huu Bang, a telecommunications expert, said that deploying internet on airplanes via satellite connection requires complex technical infrastructure and high operating costs. Therefore, the access fee may be quite high compared to the average income. "However, this is still a worthwhile expense considering the benefits it brings to some groups of passengers," Mr. Bang said.

According to this expert, internet services on airplanes are not only convenient for connection but also open up the possibility of developing digital services right on the plane such as personalized entertainment, electronic payments, smart advertising... Moreover, choosing to use Viasat's satellite infrastructure is also the basis for moving towards developing new generation satellite technology, such as low-orbit satellites (LEO), typically Starlink.

According to research, there are currently two main methods used to deploy wifi connections on aircraft: ground connection and satellite connection. Ground connection works thanks to the antenna system mounted under the belly of the aircraft, receiving signals from broadcasting stations located on the ground. Satellite connection uses antennas mounted on the roof of the aircraft to transmit signals to orbital satellites, then transmit to the ground station and then continue to the global internet network. This is a suitable choice for international flights or flights over the ocean.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/san-sang-chi-tien-de-truy-cap-mang-tren-chuyen-bay-196250422214248271.htm