SmartSky’s push towards launching its air-to-ground inflight connectivity solution took a significant step forward earlier this month. The first commercial aircraft to carry the company’s kit is currently in the shop getting the system installed.
SmartSky
First photos emerge as United’s CRJ550 nears service entry
The first CRJ550 for United Airlines is out of the shop and beginning the process for service introduction. With its return come the first photos of the new 50-seat, premium-heavy interior for the aircraft.
SmartSky boosts sales channel with Honeywell Aerospace VAR deal
As the network buildout enters the home stretch SmartSky’s sales efforts continue apace. Honeywell Aerospace signed on as a value-added reseller for the SmartSky air-to-ground inflight connectivity solution this week.
Upgraded "Gogo 5G" ATG network to launch in 2021
The next generation air-to-ground (ATG-NG) inflight connectivity network from Gogo is officially back in development. The project, rebranded as “Gogo 5G,” is expected to be available beginning in 2021. The system will operate with both licensed and unlicensed spectrum to provide the best possible performance and redundancy for aircraft owners and passengers.
Considering Gogo’s ATG-NG play
The on again, off again progress on an upgraded terrestrial network for inflight connectivity provider Gogo appear to be back in motion. In the company's most recent earnings call CEO Oakleigh Thorne indicated that the company is "particularly excited by some of the plans we’re developing for our next-gen network," though he stopped short of delivering too much in the way of additional details. Hardware supplier ZTE is out, thanks to questions about the long-term viability of growing the network with a Chinese vendor in the mix. But the program is very much alive, despite skepticism sown in Thorne's early days at the helm.
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SmartSky inflight wifi lives up to the promise
By the time a company is ready to run a media demo flight of a new technology the assumption is that the system will work as advertised. Still, as the SmartSky Citation Excel taxied for departure on a clear Florida morning a couple weeks ago there were questions to be answered and tests to be run. Come on board as I put the system through its paces.
SmartSky, StandardAero secure certification on Embraers
SmartSky took another step forward as it seeks to deliver its ATG wifi solution later this year. Certification on the E135/140/145 family, facilitated by StandardAero, brings JetSuiteX (and potentially others) much closer to flying with the service.
Inflight Internet in India: An Opportunity Overview
India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world and, somewhat surprisingly, one of the least connected in flight. That will soon change, however, thanks to the recent publication of new government regulations. Indian aviation is about to get online in a big way.
PaxEx Premium: SmartSky’s $104mm network push
Fresh off the announcement of its first commercial airline customer, upstart inflight connectivity provider SmartSky secured additional funding to complete its nationwide network deployment. The company announced a $104mm investment, bringing the total investment for the company to nearly $350 million.
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JetSuiteX going online with SmartSky wifi
JetSuiteX sees spectacular passenger satisfaction scores, but one small gap in the offering: Inflight wifi connectivity is not available on the carrier’s Embraer 135 fleet. That will change in Q4 2019 as the company rolls out the SmartSky ATG connectivity solution across its aircraft.