United And Gogo Speed Up Wireless On PS Fleet

If you remember a few months back, I reviewed Gogo’s inflight wifi and thought it was nice, but a little slow. Well, that’s about to change. Gogo is tripling speeds starting in 2013 on United Airlines’s Premium Service flights (AKA Their transcons) from 3.1 MBPs to 9.8 MBPs using their new ATG-4 technology. As someone who uses every wifi source known to man, I can tell you that will be a huge improvement. Sounds great, but we’ll have to wait until mid-2013. Here’s the press release.

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.
About Gogo
Gogo is fast becoming everyone’s favorite part of flying. By allowing travelers to get online, in air, Gogo keeps them connected to life. Using the Gogo exclusive 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.
Back on the ground, Gogo’s 400+ employees in Itasca, IL, Broomfield, CO and London are working to continually redefine flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo.