Gogo intends to deliver in-flight connectivity rates of 100 Mbps by 2018, based on a next-generation ground network that it is now developing. The U.S.-based broadband connectivity and wireless entertainment specialist announced on September 28 that the new technology will deliver “ground-like performance,” allowing videos to be streamed on business aircraft, regional jets and some narrowbody airliners.
According to Gogo, the new network will use an unlicensed frequency spectrum, a proprietary modem and a new beam-forming antenna to produce peak network speeds of more than 100 Mbps. It will use LTE 4G technology and Gogo’s existing first-generation North American network and infrastructure of more than 250 towers.
“Leveraging our first-generation network is key to making this next-generation technology network highly reliable and economical to deploy,” said Gogo chief technology officer Anand Chari. “Gogo’s next-generation network will also be backward-compatible with Gogo’s first-generation network, which means that an aircraft will be able to seamlessly switch between Gogo’s two networks, similar to how a cellphone on the ground connects to the fastest available network.”
According to Sergio Aguirre, Gogo’s general manager of business aviation, it is the only company providing connectivity for aircraft that can offer both a satellite- and ground-based network. “We will also be the only company offering dual-band solutions so that customers have the same experience [on flights] as they would using phones [and other devices] on the ground, with automatic, fail-safe connections to the fastest available service,” he told AIN.
Gogo has yet to confirm pricing for the required modem and antenna, but expects to do so by early 2017. The equipment will be available for retrofit through the company’s network of aftermarket partners, including Duncan Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, Constant Aviation, Jet Aviation and West Star Aviation.
Meanwhile, Gogo is preparing to launch its new Biz 4G air-to-ground connectivity service in early 2017. This will deliver data speeds of up to 9.8 Mbps, more than three times as fast as the current Gogo Biz 3G service of up to 3.1 Mbps. In April, the company completed the initial phase of flight testing on its Bombardier Challenger 600.
“Customers who purchase and install Gogo Biz 4G will be ahead of the curve and ready to integrate the next-generation technology,” explained Aguirre. “This would complete all the foundational work and is the baseline for the 100 Mbps. So it will not be obsolete.”
During the flight testing, Gogo engineers ran real-world scenarios, including multiple video and audio streaming sessions simultaneously on a variety of mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Altitude varied from 30,000 to 34,000 feet and range from the ground sites was tested at up to 150 miles, with flight in a rural area and a major metropolitan area (Chicago).
Operators that upgrade to Gogo Biz 4G will have to buy new hardware, but Gogo is offering incentives for upgrades. Customers can install current Gogo equipment now and upgrade that equipment to 4G when the new service becomes available early next year. Gogo plans to continue offering 3G service as well.
Services available on Gogo Biz 4G include the ability to stream movies and audio from Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and Spotify, among others, as well as email with attachments, web browsing, voice calls and VPN access. Gogo’s Text & Talk service will also work on the 4G system. The Gogo air-to-ground service area covers the continental U.S. and parts of Alaska and Canada.
