Gogo receives first FAA certificate for next generation Internet service

ITASCA - Aero communications service provider Gogo has received the first of two Federal Aviation Administration certificates that will be required for Gogo's 2Ku next generation satellite connectivity service.

The initial certification will allow Gogo to conduct flight tests on its own 737-500 flying lab. Gogo will begin testing with one antenna and expects to add a second antenna in June. Gogo expects to obtain the second required STC, and launch commercial service of its 2Ku technology, later this year.

"This is a crucial step toward bringing Gogo's 2Ku service to market later this year," said Anand Chari, Gogo's chief technology officer. "We now have FCC approval and FAA approval for the radome, antenna and avionics equipment."

2Ku, Gogo's next generation satellite technology, is expected to deliver peak speeds of more than 70 Mbps to the aircraft, which is more than 20 times the bandwidth provided by Gogo's first generation Air to Ground solution in the U.S. Gogo expects the technology to be the best performing technology in the market in terms of coverage, cost, capacity and reliability. More information about this technology can be found here.