SmartSky completes nationwide network

The SmartSky nation-wide network is now complete. The new air-to-ground in-flight internet solution can deliver connectivity across the continental United States via hundreds of towers.

As we complete entry-into-service, our initial customers are flying and using the service to send data off the aircraft as easily as they stream it on. In concert, our world-class engineering team is using our software-defined network infrastructure to continuously fine tune for optimal performance and coverage.

– SmartSky President Ryan Stone

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The SmartSky network uses unlicensed a 60 MHz slice of spectrum in the 2.4 GHz band, running via 4G and 5G technologies, to deliver broadband speeds to aircraft over the United States. The system is also backed by a strong patent portfolio. Those patents are significant, particularly as the company looks to fend off the similarly architected Gogo 5G offering.

SmartSky won its first patent suit brought by Gogo. It has since initiated its own claim against the incumbent, asserting that the Gogo 5G network infringes on several of the SmartSky patents.

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Gogo’s upgraded offering recent hit the halfway point of its deployment. The company continues to invest in the rollout despite the pending lawsuit.

This is a momentous achievement. Our service brings a new level of connectivity and capability to the business aviation industry that transcends any solution previously available, particularly in the ATG sector.

– SmartSky CEO Dave Helfgott

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The completed network comes later than SmartSky hoped. And later than even the frequently slipping timeline of the past 18 months predicted. But with distribution agreements secured, STCs in hand for several aircraft types, customer commitments, and more on the way, the company expects adoption to increase now that full coverage is available.