Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Aviation connectivity products and services provider Gogo today announced plans to build a 5G air-to-ground network in the contiguous U.S. and Canada that would be available for business and commercial aviation customers in 2021. Gogo’s 5G network will be built on its existing infrastructure of more than 250 towers and use unlicensed spectrum in the 2.4-GHz range, in addition to beamforming technology.

 


“We expect to launch Gogo 5G at the same time as the terrestrial telecommunications companies are deploying the same generation of technology on the ground—a first in the in-flight connectivity industry,” said Gogo CEO Oakleigh Thorne. “Gogo 5G is the next step in our technology evolution and is expected to deliver an unparalleled user experience, pairing high performance with low latency and network-wide redundancy.”

 


The company said its 5G infrastructure will support all spectrum types (licensed, unlicensed, and shared) and bands (low, mid, and high), allowing Gogo to take advantage of new advances in technology as they are developed. Meanwhile, the company will continue to employ its 3G and 4G networks throughout the continental U.S. and in Canada to provide backup to the 5G network.

 


“Gogo is also committed to provide easy upgrade paths to 5G for existing Gogo air-to-ground customers,” it said.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.