Graphic of Gogo’s 2Ku solution. Photo: Gogo

[Via Satellite 03-07-2016] Gogo announced it is partnering with Intelsat to leverage the first shared Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)/Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network for In-Flight Connectivity (IFC). Under a long-term agreement, Gogo’s next generation IFC technology will be powered by a high performance shared network featuring reliable, multi-layered Ku-band capacity on the Intelsat EpicNG high throughput GEO satellites combined with OneWeb‘s planned LEO satellite constellation. The Gogo 2Ku airborne terminal is designed to be compatible with multiple networks, including both the Intelsat EpicNG and OneWeb satellite constellations.

Beginning in 2016, Gogo will expand its use of the Intelsat Globalized Network by purchasing additional capacity on Intelsat’s Ku-band infrastructure. Gogo’s Intelsat network infrastructure will initially include use of traditional wide beam services and the next generation high throughput satellite (HTS) Intelsat EpicNG platform, which is expected to enter service in 2016. Coverage will include HTS for the North Atlantic, Europe, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Ocean provided by Intelsat 32e, Intelsat 33e and Horizons 3e. In 2019, Gogo’s 2KU system will begin to access the world’s first GEO/LEO shared network.