SpaceX partners with Royal Caribbean to provide high-speed internet
Published: 10:46 31 Aug 2022 EDT
Royal Caribbean Group Ltd has signed up for 'space broadband' from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, in a bid to become the first cruise company to offer high-speed internet to its passengers.
In what will be the biggest public deployment of Starlink’s high-speed internet in the travel industry so far, the pair said the technology will be deployed immediately, with full installation expected across the three cruise brands by March 2023, according to a statement.
A trial had been carried out onboard the Freedom of the Seas liner and Royal Caribbean said it had received "a tremendous amount of positive feedback from guests and crew".
“This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike,” said boss Jason Liberty.
He said it will enable activities such as video streaming and video calls onboard.
Last week, SpaceX announced it will team up with T-Mobile to allow users in the US to access the internet via their mobile phones as the company looks to commercialise its Starlink satellites.
In June, the company secured approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to install its hardware on moving vehicles, opening up the possibility for partnerships with airlines and shipping companies.
