AT and T moves into in-flight Wi-Fi
In-flight Wi-Fi provider Gogo is about to get some serious competition with news the no.2 mobile-phone carrier in the US will launch its own commercial in-flight Internet access.
Partnering with Honeywell International, AT&T will launch 4G LTE wireless Internet on commercial flights by the end of 2015.
The company uses 4G LTE technology for its fastest mobile phone network on the ground.
It is looking to snag a share of a huge market and ever increasing demand for stable internet access in the sky, as more and more passengers travel with portable Wi-Fi enabled devices such as smart phones, tables and laptops.
The US in-flight Wi-Fi market’s one dominant player is Illinois-based Gogo Inc., which provides broadband service on over 2,000 commercial aircraft and a similar number of private corporate jets.
This would be the first use of 4G LTE technology in the skies, according to Roger Entner, an analyst with Massachusetts firm Recon Analytics.
"The service could potentially be faster, since you don’t have to bounce up to a satellite," Entner said.
After the announcement by Dallas-based AT&T, shares in Gogo Inc. fell 22% in late trading.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025