Gogo has commenced flight testing of its next-generation 5G air-to-ground connectivity network aimed at North American customers. Utilizing a Pilatus PC-24 jet, the testing campaign will occur over several weeks, focusing on optimizing the new broadband network.
Engineers expect to conduct between 40 to 50 hours of flight time to validate the capabilities of Gogo’s 5G technology. Initial tests have already enabled successful calls in-flight, with plans to explore more complex connectivity scenarios, such as video calling and browsing on multiple devices simultaneously. Chris Moore, CEO of Gogo, said, “This is a true walk before you run-type methodical test plan.”
Flight tests are currently being conducted at Gogo’s tower sites in eastern Colorado and Nebraska, with plans to expand to other major cities including Chicago, New York, and Miami. The testing will supplement extensive ground testing data and validate previous performance models of the technology.
Following the completion of flight tests, Gogo plans to seek final approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration for its 5G software. The company anticipates full service activation by the end of 2025, which will initiate client activations and revenue generation in early 2026. There are currently 400 aircraft pre-provisioned for the new 5G service, an increase from 300 in the past three months.
The primary source was Gogo.
