The next certification in SmartSky‘s path to operations is secured. The company announced that the ground-based remote radiohead for its next-generation air-to-ground network has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.
Deployment of the FCC-certified tower radios for our network, coupled with the availability of our shipset products (high-performance antennas, aircraft radios) gives our service-partners and dealers great confidence to begin accepting orders. We are already seeing increased interest and demand with the business aviation markets rebounding ahead of schedule in 2021.
– SmartSky CEO, David Helfgott
The company announced last month “completion of all technical milestones and the opening of the first fully operational coverage zone” of the air-to-ground in-flight connectivity system. That fully operational zone is a test corridor in the Southeastern USA is active.
Additional tower upgrades and installations remain ongoing across the country.
Read More: SmartSky activates test corridor, moves towards nation-wide deployment
Company spokesman Brit Wanick previously explained, “We’re just a few months away from when our first customers can start using the system on their own aircraft and for customers to start scheduling their installations with our various OEM/MRO partners. We believe this intersects nicely with our nationwide coverage footprint timing.”
Similarly, CEO David Helfgott suggests the FCC certification timing “is great as we plan for our commercial launch, and to be the leading catalyst for the advent of the connected aircraft market.”
The company also recently expanded its reseller network to include Honeywell. The new air-to-ground connectivity from SmartSky provides Honeywell’s Business Aviation customers with another option for high-speed internet connectivity that delivers a user experience like that found at home. Honeywell also offers Inmarsat’s GX Aviation via satellite, powered by Honeywell’s JetWave™ hardware.
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