Gogo reports broadband progress
Satellite-based STC list grows, air-to-ground on track for 2026
Gogo arrived at the National Business Aviation Association's annual Las Vegas convention with news of additional FAA installation approvals for its satellite-based in-flight broadband service, and progress toward activating the 5G air-to-ground network that has been years in the making.
At the top of the price and capability range, Gogo announced a pair of supplemental type certificate approvals for installation of the Galileo FDX (full duplex) system, able to support mean speeds of 189 megabits per second, and peak download speeds of 195 Mbps. A Boeing Business Jet 737 NG was the first to have its FDX antenna activated, and a second FDX STC was issued to StandardAero, covering the Bombardier Challenger 600, as well as another STC to cover the HDX (half-duplex) installation on the Challenger 600, a smaller antenna that delivers a more modest 60 Mbps peak download.
Gogo's Galileo service taps into the Eutelsat OneWeb low-Earth-orbit constellation, with data rates that support videoconferencing and other internet applications by multiple simultaneous users aboard the aircraft.
Meanwhile, upgrading the company's ATG network to 5G speeds that will deliver peak speeds of 80 Mbps (25 Mbps average) is approaching the flight test validation phase. Gogo reported more than 400 aircraft owners have equipped with the MB13 antenna and Avance LX5 platform that will enable these speeds, and the company is offering rebates and incentives to upgrade legacy equipment before the network cuts over in May 2026. Gogo reported 7,031 aircraft flying with its ATG systems, including 4,247 equipped for satellite connectivity. The company designed its upgraded equipment to directly replace legacy units.
Gogo has endured painful delays rolling out its 5G ATG service, announcing completion of 150 towers to cover the contiguous United States at NBAA's annual convention—in 2022. Manufacturing difficulties delayed the network in 2023, along with a maintenance, repair, and overhaul slowdown driven by parts shortages.
"NBAA 2025 will be the first time the new Gogo will be presented to the important North American business aviation sector, and we are pleased to be exhibiting with so much good news for our customers," said Gogo CEO Chris Moore, in a news release. "We have worked extremely hard since the merger of Satcom Direct with Gogo to evolve an expanded, streamlined multi-orbit, multi-band connectivity ecosystem."
