Telecom Lead America:
In-flight connectivity provider Gogo is set to acquire the Airfone business
unit from LiveTV, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airways.
The acquisition will give Gogo a 1 MHz spectrum license
currently held by LiveTV. The 1 MHz license will be used as a supplement to
Gogo’s existing 3 MHz license.
The new license will enhance its Air-to-Ground network,
which provides connectivity to commercial airlines and business aircraft over
the contiguous United States and portions of Alaska.
“In many ways, Gogo has continued to expand its
Air-to-Ground network and will soon launch ATG-4, which is expected to
significantly improve capacity. Acquiring the 1 MHz spectrum license from
LiveTV will play an integral role in our continued expansion activities and
help us deliver a performance boost for end users,” said Gogo’s president and
CEO Michael Small.
In addition to acquiring the 1 MHz spectrum license, Gogo
will acquire all of the network infrastructure and back-office operational
assets of Airfone and looks forward to working with current Airfone customers
now and in the future.
Using the Gogo network and services, passengers with laptops
and other Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on more than 1,500 commercial
aircraft including all domestic AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights, all
domestic mainline Delta Air Lines flights and select Air Canada, Alaska
Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways
flights.
