Starlink expands hardware and aviation connectivity

Starlink is expanding its technological footprint through both hardware updates and aviation partnerships. The company has filed documentation with the FCC for its first WiFi 7 compatible router, model UTR-261. This new hardware utilizes the 802.11be standard to improve signal distribution and device connectivity within homes, though it operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands rather than the 6 GHz band. The router features two Ethernet ports, USB-C connectivity, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) support.

In the aviation sector, Lufthansa Group has announced it will begin deploying Starlink's high-speed satellite connectivity on August 19. The rollout will start with an Airbus A320neo from Lufthansa Airlines and is planned to extend to approximately 850 aircraft across the group's ten airlines by 2029. This low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology aims to provide passengers with bandwidth capable of supporting video streaming and cloud-based work at cruising altitudes.