Gogo Aims To Bring In-Flight Wi-Fi To Canada By 2013
Can there ever be enough Wi-Fi in the sky? Conventional wisdom says "no," and it's a good thing, too. Gogo, the company responsible for providing in-air Internet to the vast majority of U.S. domestic flights, is doing everything it can to provide similar services in Canada. The goal here is to provide seamless connectivity service between U.S. and Canada for both commercial and business aviation, and considering just how many flights there are between the two nations each day (not to mention those flights to Alaska that spend most of their time in Canadian space), it's probably a goal worth pursuing.
Announced this week, Industry Canada has issued Gogo a subordinate license for Canada's air-to-ground (ATG) radio frequency spectrum that will allow Gogo to serve passengers on commercial and business aircraft flying over Canada. The Canadian network will operate on the same frequency as Gogo's existing ATG network in the continental United States, which will allow Gogo to provide seamless service within Canada and on cross-border flights between the U.S. and Canada. Gogo expects to begin cell site construction in the fourth quarter of this year and expects the network to be in operation by the end of 2013. The network will focus initially on Canadian routes served by Gogo's existing U.S. and Canadian commercial airline customers. It will also service business aircraft currently using Aircell's Gogo Biz high speed internet service.
Not only is this great news for Canada and those traveling to it, but it's great news to the world. This makes clear that Gogo has no intention of slowing down. While a few nations covered by in-flight Wi-Fi is great, what about the world? Hopefully we're heading in that direction. (Now we just need to convince airlines to add larger coach seats and power outlets throughout.)
Announced this week, Industry Canada has issued Gogo a subordinate license for Canada's air-to-ground (ATG) radio frequency spectrum that will allow Gogo to serve passengers on commercial and business aircraft flying over Canada. The Canadian network will operate on the same frequency as Gogo's existing ATG network in the continental United States, which will allow Gogo to provide seamless service within Canada and on cross-border flights between the U.S. and Canada. Gogo expects to begin cell site construction in the fourth quarter of this year and expects the network to be in operation by the end of 2013. The network will focus initially on Canadian routes served by Gogo's existing U.S. and Canadian commercial airline customers. It will also service business aircraft currently using Aircell's Gogo Biz high speed internet service.
Not only is this great news for Canada and those traveling to it, but it's great news to the world. This makes clear that Gogo has no intention of slowing down. While a few nations covered by in-flight Wi-Fi is great, what about the world? Hopefully we're heading in that direction. (Now we just need to convince airlines to add larger coach seats and power outlets throughout.)
