Gogo receives license to operate Ku-band satellite aircraft

Itasca-based Gogo, the leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, said the FCC has granted the company a blanket license to operate up to 1,000 Ku-band Satellite aircraft for international and domestic service.

The license is granted based on Gogo’s agreements with SES and Intelsat that will provide the company with extensive global Ku-band satellite coverage. Under its agreement with SES, Gogo will utilize a trio of SES satellites that will enable Gogo to expand its broadband offering in the sky to aircraft flying busy transatlantic routes. The SES-1 spacecraft will cover the continental U.S., while NSS-703 and three powerful spot beams will reach across the North Atlantic and SES-4 serves Europe. Gogo service through the NSS-703 satellite is expected to be transitioned in mid-2014 to the new SES-6 bird, slated for launch next year.

Under its agreement with Intelsat, Gogo has access to the Intelsat 19, Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 22 satellites. These satellites are designed to provide high-speed connectivity for airline passengers crossing portions of the Atlantic and northern Pacific oceans, as well as routes over South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

“The licensing is another step in allowing us to launch global in-flight services, including services for aircraft flying busy routes over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,” said Michael Small, Gogo’s president and CEO.

Gogo also has an agreement in place with satellite provider Inmarsat, to offer airlines a global Ka-band satellite solution via Inmarsat’s Global Xpress service when it becomes available in 2015.