Don’t call it a comeback; Apcela’s run the network for years. And now the SmartSky service, which halted operations on 16 August 2024, is set to come back online.
The strategic acquisition, announced today at NBAA in Las Vegas, will see the privately held Apcela “transform the future of aviation connectivity by combining SmartSky’s patented, cutting-edge in-flight technology with Apcela’s advanced networking platforms.”
With SmartSky’s innovative air-to-ground technology, we can now extend advanced networking and application acceleration capabilities to the skies, ensuring passengers, crew, and operations teams benefit from the same level of performance they experience on the ground.
– Mark Casey, CEO of Apcela
Apcela is not the first networking company to chase after the dream of inflight connectivity. Nor is it the first to pick up the remnants of a failed connectivity business and piece it back together. But CEO Mark Casey is confident his company can make this deal work.
“Everything SmartSky had been doing, it’s not that it’s not relevant; we’re just twisting a little bit and really trying to focus on the specialized nature of the networks that we’re going to deliver.”
That confidence is built, in large part, on the experience Apcela brings to the table having built and operated the terrestrial network that backed SmartSky’s original operations. Casey notes that the company was not involved in the front end of the business. But once SmartSky halted operations it took a closer look. Ultimately, the team identified “some market opportunities that may have been overlooked and that align with what we do as a business, which is specialized networks.”
Similarly, Casey notes that his company is decidedly not AT&T or one of the other deep-pocketed players that tried to buy into the IFC space. He positions Apcela as a far more agile operator, able to focus on the specialized needs of the aero industry, with options for both the commercial and business aviation markets.
There’s more to the story… Dig deeper with a PaxEx.Aero Premium Subscription
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The new business will operate as an independent unit of Apcela, combining a handful of legacy SmartSky staff with Apcela’s leadership, and other personnel from key partners.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
More news from NBAA 2024
- Viasat drops speed caps for new JetXP business aviation plans
- Apcela set to bring SmartSky network back to life
- Gogo secures first line-fit option for Galileo LEO service
- Textron extends Starlink support to smaller types
- Wheels Up pivots fleet, picks Gogo Galileo for future connectivity
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
Leave a Reply