The topic of inflight WiFi often comes with mixed feelings. The connectivity is nice to have, but there is often a high price to pay for what amounts to speeds that are way slower than many would hope to see. Anyway, the name that often comes to mind for connecting while in the cloud is […]
Inflight Wi-Fi sucks
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In a way, in-flight WiFi still seems like the future. It’s the internet, in the air, while traveling at 30,000+ feet. Clearly, just having access isn’t good enough, as a smattering of opponents have stepped into a segment long dominated by Gogo with snazzier, satellite-based alternatives. Over the past few years, ViaSat has stepped up in an effort to offer flyers something that Gogo’s existing services won’t: streaming video. While Gogo’s air-to-ground network is great for latency, it struggles with bandwidth, as anyone on a crowded flight from JFK to SFO will likely attest. Today, Gogo has taken the wraps off of GTO (Ground to Orbit), described as a hybrid technology that will be “capable of delivering more than 60Mbps to the aircraft.” For those keeping score, that’s a 20-fold increase from where Gogo started just a few years ago.
We spoke to a company representative leading up to the reveal, who confirmed that GTO is a proprietary offering, and will lean on satellites for the downlink while using existing ground-based transceivers for the uplink. For users, that means that latency will remain low, uploads will remain sluggish, and downloads will improve dramatically. Gogo points out that precious little will need to change for airlines to take advantage; there’s a new antenna, which is actually half as large as the existing one, but most everything else will remain the same. Virgin America will be the launch partner of the new service, which is expected to be available in the second half of 2014; we asked if any other airlines were onboard beyond that, but were left to make assumptions for ourselves.
Filed under: Transportation, Internet
Source: Gogo
In-flight WiFi provider Gogo‘s price increase last September saw revenues rise but failed to tip the company into profitability, despite hopes to milk more from corporate accounts as general use remains stagnant. Only 6-percent of flyers on planes that are Gogo-enabled actually took advantage of the connectivity in Q1, Gogo admitted to Bloomberg Businessweek, and
The ChromeBook Pixel is a stunningly beautiful piece of machinery. With costs ranging from $1,300 to $1,500, however, it means you’re shelling out even more than most standard ultrabooks and laptops. It also comes with 12 free Gogo passes and a full terabyte of Google Drive storage to sweeten the deal, fortunately, but who wants to buy a computer of any kind when you can win one instead? Gogo’s hooking two lucky readers up with a 64GB LTE Chromebook Pixel (this particular model is valued at $1,500), so this is one giveaway you’ll definitely want to sign up for. You can grab up to three entries: you get two just for showing up, and the third is yours if you Like Gogo on Facebook. Head to the widget below and take a chance!
Filed under: Announcements, HD, Mobile, Alt, Google
The FCC released a report yesterday detailing plans to free up 500 megahertz of spectrum, in an effort to supercharge our nation’s ground-to-air mobile broadband infrastructure. The proposed spectrum would fall within the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, which is currently utilized for satellite uplinks. The FCC references an earlier Qualcomm proposal, which suggests data speeds of 300 gigabits per second with refreshed equipment operating over the new spectrum. With that bandwidth, all of the 15,000 WiFi-equipped aircraft that are estimated to be operating by 2021 would be able to offer significantly improved performance for passengers, and at a much lower cost.
Based on verbiage in the report, the FCC’s proposed date of 2020 sounds ambitious — even with the agency completing “a great deal of ongoing work,” it could be a decade before we can take advantage of gigabit connections from 37,000 feet in the air. Gogo’s next-gen system and ViaSat’s promised satellite rollout should be hitting planes before 2013 is through, however, delivering notable improvements of their own.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless, Internet
Via: Phone Arena
Source: FCC
Dangling WiFi-carrot meet your BlackBerry-made stick: the Z10. Perhaps because its user base has traditionally courted strong enterprise support — a lot that typically overlaps with the jet set — BlackBerry’s offering an incentive to adopters of its BB 10 pearl, granting gratis Gogo-powered internet access for all domestic Delta flights. The best part? Latching onto that free WiFi is as simple as logging in and firing up the browser on your Z10 when it’s “safe to use your electronic devices.” Will this tip your hand and get you to switch to BB 10? Probably not, but it’s the sort of pot sweetening that should keep BlackBerry’s (moneyed) customers around for the long-haul.
[Thanks, Jared]
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Blackberry
Source: BlackBerry
Apple‘s iPhone and iPad reign supremacy above the clouds when it comes to in-flight internet access according to a new infographic being detailed today. The popular in-flight WiFi company Gogo has just released some detailed information regarding what devices are most preferred, at least while in the air. With smartphones and tablets taking in nearly 67% of all devices read on for the full breakdown.
The last time you were on a flight how many Android tablets did you see compared to the iPad or iPad mini? Whether you’re a fan or not Apple still reigns supremacy in this regard. According to the number of devices connecting to Gogo’s services, the iPad is the device of choice above all others for in-flight entertainment.
Overall tablets take up 35% of all connected devices with laptops coming in at 33%. Then smartphones come in a very close 3rd and will soon pass laptops, currently sitting at 32% of all in-flight connected devices. Then the folks from Gogo break this down even further to reveal how far ahead in the sky Apple is over the competition.
In 2013 out of all mobile devices being used to connect through Gogo, 84% are running Apple’s iOS while only a small 16% are being powered by Google’s Android OS. If you single it down to smartphones the iPhone holds 73% of all users, while Android sits around 26%. Oh, and we can’t forget about BlackBerry and Windows Phone. The two combined only make up around 1% and aren’t even in the infographic. While this shows great numbers for Apple, in 2011 Android was only being used in 3.2% so they are certainly on the rise.
So when you’re 36,000 feet in the air what are you doing? Aside from checking destination weather or entertainment options, Gogo states most are just doing general web browsing. Mobile has certainly taken over the traditional laptop when it comes to travel WiFi needs, and Apple’s iOS is at the top of that list.
[via Gogo]
Apple dominates the sky according to WiFi provider Gogo is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
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If you wind up cruising in one of American Airlines latest airliners, you’ll likely be pleased with the WiFi that’s also onboard. Gogo recently announced that its Ku-band satellite and peppy ATG-4 internet connectivity will be available on AA’s latest Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 deliveries. The mixture ensures you’ll be able to get online whether you’re over the seas or the connected ground below. You’ll find more info in the press release after the break, and expect it all to be available before the earlier part of this year flies by.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order today that updated regulatory requirements needed to provide broadband services on aircraft. In short, the commission has designated Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft — the broadband modules placed on the exterior of aircraft — as a licensed application and established a set regulatory process for future providers. What this means is that airlines will be able to select FCC-approved systems, verify that systems don’t interfere with aircraft instruments, and obtain FAA approval in about half the time it takes now. The new FCC guidelines should make it easier for smaller airlines to install WiFi on their jets, allowing them to catch up to legacy carriers with nearly fleetwide internet access. This news might also be a mixed blessing for frequent flyers, some of whom see flying as the last bastion of peace in an otherwise connected world.
Continue reading FCC streamlines rules for aircraft broadband, promotes widespread in-flight WiFi
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