Gogo Inc. announced that it has finished flight testing and validation of its next‑generation 5G air‑to‑ground (ATG) connectivity network, and it has secured its first paying customer for the service. The company completed more than 30 hours of flight testing across nearly 20 routes, demonstrating download speeds exceeding 80 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps, meeting the performance targets required for high‑speed, low‑latency in‑flight broadband.
The validation effort also confirmed that 450 aircraft have been pre‑provisioned and are ready to begin service in January 2026. In addition, 33 supplemental type certificates (STCs) covering major aircraft types in the continental U.S. have been contracted; 28 have already been completed and five remain pending. These STCs unlock a market of over 7,500 aircraft, giving Gogo a substantial addressable customer base for the new 5G offering.
The launch marks a key milestone in Gogo’s multi‑orbit strategy, which combines its ATG network with satellite constellations such as Gogo Galileo and the recently acquired Satcom Direct. By moving beyond the legacy L5 network, Gogo positions itself to capture the growing demand for high‑speed connectivity in North America and Southern Canada, while also strengthening its competitive stance against emerging LEO players like SpaceX’s Starlink.
Gogo’s Q3 2025 earnings report, released on November 6, 2025, showed a net loss of $1.9 million and an EPS of –$0.01, largely due to acquisition‑related expenses from the Satcom Direct purchase. Revenue, however, slightly beat expectations, and service revenue grew year‑over‑year, reflecting strong demand for its connectivity solutions. Management reiterated its 2025 guidance, targeting revenue at the high end of $870 million to $910 million and adjusted EBITDA at the high end of $200 million to $220 million, signaling confidence in the company’s ability to scale the new 5G network while managing the cost impact of recent acquisitions.
CEO Chris Moore said the 5G validation “demonstrates Gogo’s continued leadership in in‑flight connectivity and sets the stage for a new era of high‑speed, low‑latency service that will meet the data‑hungry needs of modern travelers.” He added that the company’s multi‑orbit approach will provide a more resilient and versatile connectivity ecosystem, giving Gogo a competitive edge as the market evolves.
The successful validation and first paying customer acquisition position Gogo to accelerate its service rollout, expand its market share, and strengthen its competitive position against satellite‑only providers. The company’s ability to deliver on the promised performance metrics while managing the financial impact of recent acquisitions will be closely watched by investors and industry observers as it moves toward full deployment of the 5G ATG network.
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