Improved wifi offerings from multiple vendors leads this edition of the Weekly Wrap, while an option for more accessible lav access is our feature interview. Plus lots more!
ATG
Gogo brushes off new ZTE concerns
Gogo faces new challenges to some of its government contracts as the Feds look to push out any companies using technology from a handful of Chinese suppliers.
Gogo expands wifi coverage down to 3,000 feet
Many travelers in the US will soon have a bit of increased inflight wifi coverage. Gogo is adjusting its air-to-ground network to deliver service starting at 3,000 feet altitude rather than 10,000 feet.
SmartSky counters Gogo’s patent dispute
When Gogo filed for a review of a key SmartSky patent in April the upstart inflight connectivity company vowed to defend its intellectual property portfolio. At its core, SmartSky’s position is that Gogo chose to redefine the term “Software Defined Radio.” SkartSky also posits that much of the petition is redundant to evidence previously considered in the initial application review.
Nokia, EE team up for new air-to-ground connectivity network
Nokia found a new opportunity to deploy its air-to-ground inflight connectivity hardware. The company behind the ground station antennae for Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network secured a deal with EE, part of the British Telecom group, to deploy a nationwide, dedicated, airborne communications network for Great Britain’s emergency services.
Gogo’s Business Aviation sector shows strong rebound
Business Aviation is making a strong comeback, with Gogo’s BizAv unit topping 3,000 daily flights last week, a significant milestone and nearly 90% of the numbers from early this year.
SmartSky faces a patent challenge from Gogo
As it developed a new, high-speed, terrestrial inflight communications platform SmartSky also worked diligently to develop a broad intellectual property portfolio. The company hit 150 patents issued in January 2020 and even hosts a separate website dedicated to tracking the portfolio. The patents are intended, among other things, to help the company fend off competition […]
ThinKom touts low-drag advantages in push for regional jet connectivity
Getting high-speed satellite-based internet service on to regional jets has proven an uphill battle to date. Antenna manufacturer ThinKom hopes its Ka2517 solution can help. The company released details of a study this week confirming its antenna can fly on smaller fuselages without dramatically increasing drag.
Understanding the latest SmartSky delay
Last week’s confirmation that SmartSky is delaying activation of its new high speed air-to-ground network to Q2 2020 is somewhat disappointing. But understanding why the schedule slipped should provide better clarity for the company’s customers and investors with respect to future expectations of the service. CEO Haynes Griffin provided those details to PaxEx.Aero.
SmartSky secures additional funding, slips delivery date
What’s the best way to share news that the launch product is going to be delayed a bit? Tying it in as an afterthought to $25 million in additional funding definitely helps. For upstart inflight connectivity provider SmartSky the news this week is a mix of good and bad.