Gogo announced a new partnership with AeroSat, a satellite equipment provider, to bring a Ku-satellite solution to commercial airlines. The Ku-satellite solution will allow Gogo to offer airlines connectivity services that extend beyond the United States in the near term, including transoceanic routes, until Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-satellite service becomes available.
AeroSat will deliver the Ku-satellite antenna, radome, antenna control and modem unit and high power transceiver to Gogo. The AeroSat equipment will be coupled with Gogo’s onboard hardware and software (server and access points).
Gogo recently announced that it will be one of two global service providers of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress™ Ka-satellite service. The launch of the first of three Inmarsat-5 satellites is scheduled for mid-2013. Gogo expects to offer Global Xpress Ka-satellite service after the launch of all three I-5 satellites starting in late 2014 or early 2015.
“As a company, Gogo has always considered itself technology neutral. Our goal is to provide the right technology to meet the connectivity needs of any aircraft size and any aircraft mission,” said Gogo’s president and CEO Michael Small. “By adding a Ku-based offering, we will be qualified to offer our airline partners a wide range of technology solutions. Whether it’s by using our exclusive air to ground and ATG-4 technologies, Ku-satellite or, in the near future, Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-satellite technologies, we expect to be able to service all aircraft.”
