Gogo Bringing Higher-Speed Broadband To United's P.S. Fleet

While loads of people in rural places are still fighting for legitimate broadband, high flyers will be getting broadband while 30,000 feet above those very locales. Crazy? Not quite -- it's called in-flight Internet, and it's improving at a wildly fast clip. Gogo has just announced it has extended its contract with United Airlines and will work with United Airlines to upgrade its p.s. Premium Service fleet to Gogo's new ATG-4 connectivity solution. If you aren't familiar with that service, it's a special flight from NYC to SFO/LAX that hooks patrons up with nicer seating options throughout the cabin. Naturally, these cross-country flights generally have a huge amount of people who demand in-flight Internet to get work done while crossing three time zones.


ATG-4 is expected to deliver peak speeds from current performances of up to 3.1 Mbps to up to 9.8 Mbps per aircraft through the addition of directional antenna, dual modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies. The newer tech is expected to start having an impact in early 2013, and hopefully it'll spread to other airlines shortly thereafter.

Gogo to Upgrade United’s P.S. Fleet with Next Generation ATG-4 In-Air Connectivity Solution

ITASCA, IL. – July 20, 2012 – Gogo, a leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that it has extended its contract with United Airlines and will work with United Airlines to upgrade its p.s.® Premium Service fleet to Gogo’s new ATG-4 connectivity solution.  Gogo expects to begin installation of the upgraded equipment in early 2013.

Gogo’s ATG-4 technology is expected to enhance its existing air to ground network and deliver peak speeds from our current performance of up to 3.1 Mbps to up to 9.8 Mbps per aircraft through the addition of directional antenna, dual modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies.

“Passengers on board United’s p.s. fleet have long enjoyed Gogo’s in-flight Internet service and these routes have grown to be some of the most popular routes for connectivity related services,” said Gogo’s president and CEO Michael Small.  “By upgrading to ATG-4, Gogo will be able to better address the growing demand for Internet access on these flights now and in the future.”   

United’s p.s. fleet consists of 13 Boeing 757 aircraft that operate between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport or San Francisco International Airport.  Gogo and United have offered connectivity services aboard the p.s. fleet since January 2009.