Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service, currently available in more than 1,000 commercial aircraft flying over the continental U.S., is getting satellite technology to extend its service globally.
The company has decided to add Ka-band satellite technology to the mix, and says it will be available in the continental U.S. in 2013 and globally by 2015.
Aircell currently uses Air to Ground (ATG) technology to power its on board Wi-Fi networks, and will also supplement that with ATG-4, which includes Directional Antenna, Dual Modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies, which would boost current performance by around four times, Aircell says.
The ATG, ATG-4 and Ka-band technologies will be available to airlines and selectable at the fleet or aircraft level, the company says.
Aircell customers include Delta, Air Canada, United, US Airways, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines, AirTran and American Airlines.