Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada

Folks over in the US of A have been utilizing Gogo's up-in-the-air wireless amenities for quite some time now, which isn't something we can say about our dear neighbors from The Great White North -- unless, of course, you count the company's current Aircell's Gogo Biz service. That said, Gogo's finally received the go-ahead to bring its in-flight WiFi goods to both commercial and business planes that are traveling within Canada and cross-border to the States, allowing the internet provider to deliver "seamless service" all-around. According to Gogo, the network will be fully operational by the end of next year, with the company assuring fellow Canadians that they, too, can "soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S." Hit the PR below to delve into the formal nitty-gritty.

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Gogo Licensed to Provide In-Air Connectivity over Canada

Allows Gogo to provide seamless connectivity service between U.S. and Canada for both commercial and business aviation

ITASCA, IL. – Aug 28, 2012 – Gogo, a leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that Industry Canada has issued Gogo a subordinate license for Canada's air-to-ground (ATG) radio frequency spectrum that will allow Gogo to serve passengers on commercial and business aircraft flying over Canada.
The Canadian network will operate on the same frequency as Gogo's existing ATG network in the continental United States, which will allow Gogo to provide seamless service within Canada and on cross-border flights between the U.S. and Canada. Gogo expects to begin cell site construction in the fourth quarter of this year and expects the network to be in operation by the end of 2013.
The network will focus initially on Canadian routes served by Gogo's existing U.S. and Canadian commercial airline customers. It will also service business aircraft currently using Aircell's Gogo Biz high speed internet service. Aircell, a Gogo company, provides a suite of in-flight connectivity solutions for the global business aviation community.
"This license will allow us to offer seamless connectivity service for both our commercial airline partners and business aviation customers operating between the U.S. and Canada," said Michael Small, Gogo's president and CEO. "Whether it's on a commercial or business aircraft, passengers traveling in Canada can soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S."
Gogo's Canadian license is subordinate to a primary spectrum license that was acquired at auction in 2009 by SkySurf Canada Communications Inc. Gogo won the comparable U.S. spectrum at auction in 2006.
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 1,600 commercial aircraft including all domestic mainline Delta Air Lines and nearly all of Delta's regional jets; all AirTran Airways and Virgin America 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.
About Aircell
Aircell, a Gogo company, is a leading provider of in-flight connectivity for business aviation. Through a full range of services including voice, high-speed Internet, cockpit data and more, Aircell increases the productivity, safety, and enjoyment of the business aviation travel experience. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, USA, Aircell is an AS9100-certified company serving a global customer base with an authorized dealer/distributor network that spans 6 continents. A trusted brand in airborne communications, Aircell is a factory option at every major business aircraft manufacturer and installed on the world's largest fractional ownership fleets. The only company to offer all three of the industry's most popular network technologies – Iridium Satellite, Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Gogo Biz™, Aircell provides advice and solutions addressing any customer need, aircraft type, or geography. A Collier Trophy nominee and the recipient of several dozen awards for innovation, Aircell is widely credited with many of the industry's most influential historical achievements, beginning with the groundbreaking airborne cellular concept that launched the company in 1991. Connect with us www.aircell.com and on Twitter at twitter.com/aircellbizav.