With a lot of people shifting towards using in-flight WiFi/Internet services, the demand for bandwidth and speed becomes more important.
Gogo announced a new service today called 2Ku – a Wifi service aimed both at International services as well as US Domestic services, operating over Air to Satellite connections (as opposed to Gogo’s usual Satellite to Air to Ground service).
Gogo aims for the service speed to start at 70mb at peak, rising to 100mb as more satellites are launched to improve coverage – in some cases, a LOT quicker than home Internet connections.
Gogo’s current Air to Ground (ATG4) operates at 9.8mb at peak.
The solution uses a two Ku based satellite antennas, mounted as a package extending 4.5 inches high on a plane – reducing the impact of drag and fuel costs to carry the installation around.
Deployment of the first system is expected to be with Japan Airlines. Whilst formal contracts are yet to be signed, Gogo is expecting to launch the service commercially in 2015.
The proposed speed is enough to deliver streaming media through the connection and sable – making possible some innovative IFE solutions as well as being able to deliver content over the air.
As the clamour for being connected at all times increases, services like this will be welcomed by both the road warrior who can’t leave a single email unanswered, or the family who want to tweet they’re on a plane…
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