LUXEMBOURG - SES and Gogo, a provider of in-flight connectivity, have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of bringing high-speed, satellite-delivered Internet access to passengers aboard commercial airliners.
Gogo plans to utilize high-throughput Ku-band capacity on current and future SES multi-beam satellites serving the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean region, and Europe. SES operates a worldwide fleet of 50 geostationary satellites.
According to Gogo CEO Michael Small, the company will utilize capacity on SES satellites to provide connectivity to airlines flying around the world. The company already uses a network of air-to-ground signals to provide connectivity over the continental United States. The use of satellites, such as SES and Inmarsat, will allow the company to extend beyond that region.
Gogo also recently announced that it will partner with AeroSat to deliver the 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) to deliver service to the airlines. The components have already been developed and are currently going through the airworthiness qualification and certification process. Gogo expects to be able to install the Ku-band systems on commercial aircraft as early as the fourth quarter of 2012.
