Gogo-Press-Kit.Pdf
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COMPANY HISTORY & TIMELINE HISTORY The idea for Gogo began in 1991 in a barbecue joint in Denison, Texas, where company founder Jimmy Ray first sketched on a paper napkin his visionary idea for an affordable telephone system for private airplanes. In the beginning… Through a unique partnership with cellular providers, Gogo began as Aircell, providing analog-based voice communications on private aircraft in North America. By the late ‘90s, we had successfully leveraged a satellite-based system to offer voice communication on overseas flights. Our next step was to devise a way to bring the power of in-air connectivity to the masses, thereby keeping travelers fully connected to life. Gogo goes commercial In 2006, we were awarded the FCC’s exclusive Air-To-Ground (ATG) 3Mhz broadband frequency license, which brought with it the daunting challenges of design, patent, and deployment of an uninterrupted network across the U.S. Yet in less than two years’ time, we captured the world’s attention with the power of our proprietary Air-To-Ground broadband network. In 2008, Gogo made its stunning debut on commercial aircraft, bringing robust Internet access to the skies and transforming the commercial air experience for modern travelers. Coast to coast, border to border, Gogo delivered broadband coverage to a place it had never been: 30,000 feet above the entire continental United States. On top of the world today With more than 1,100 commercial and 5,000 business aircraft equipped with our services across our ATG and satellite technology platforms, Gogo is far and away the world leader in inflight connectivity. We continue to develop products and services to help keep passengers entertained while they’re in air, in keeping with our goal of becoming everyone’s favorite thing to do while flying. COMPANY HISTORY & TIMELINE 1991 The idea for Gogo begins in a barbecue restaurant in Denison, dec2008 Gogo Inflight Internet service launches on Delta Air Lines, Texas, where company founder Jimmy Ray first made sketches on a making Delta, together with its merger partner Northwest Airlines, the paper napkin for an affordable telephone system for private aviation. first major U.S. carrier to begin a fleet-wide deployment of Gogo. Ray’s subsequent investigation of the market and exploration of alternate technologies results in the formation of Aircell, the company that is now jan2009 Aircell announces United Airlines as the fifth airline to select Gogo known as Gogo. Inflight Internet service, ushering in 2009 as “the year of Inflight Internet.” 1991 Aircell is issued its first of what has become more 30 patents on may2009 Gogo Inflight Internet service launches on AirTran Airways. innovations in airborne telecommunications. Virgin America completes its fleet-wide rollout of Gogo, becoming the first airline to offer Wi-Fi on every flight. 1997 Aircell works with existing cell companies and utilizes analog technol- ogies to provide affordable phone service for the business aviation market. july2009 AirTran Airways completes its fleet-wide rollout of Gogo In- flight Internet service, becoming the first major airline to offer the service 2000 Aircell enters full operation using Air-To-Ground cellular service on every flight. Aircell announces US Airways as its seventh airline partner. combined with satellite systems. The network is met with resounding acceptance in business aviation. aug2009 Gogo Inflight Internet marks one year of operation. More than 500 Gogo-equipped aircraft are in service at this time, with that number 2002 Aircell goes global - Broadening its product and service suite to growing week-over-week. business aviation, Aircell becomes a hardware and service provider for Iridium Satellite in September of 2002. These systems offer simple and oct2009 Gogo Inflight Internet service launches on United Airlines, low-cost telecommunications to aircraft operating globally. With thou- beginning the carrier’s roll-out to its entire Boeing 757-200 “ps” fleet, sands sold, the systems are offered to virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing flying routes between New York (JFK) and SFO and New York and LAX. airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world’s four largest fractional ownership fleets. nov2009 Air Canada begins offering Gogo Inflight Internet on flights from Toronto to Los Angeles and San Francisco, United Airlines com- 2006 Aircell wins a major FCC auction for the only broadband frequen- pletes its rollout of Gogo across its entire transcontinental “p.s.” fleet. cies allocated for communicating between aircraft and ground-based Gogo sees its millionth use. communications networks. Aircell begins to build out its own network of cellular towers. feb2010 Alaska Airlines chooses Gogo Inflight Internet as its fleet-wide -in flight connectivity solution, replacing Row44 as the airline’s service provider. 2006 Aircell Launches its Gogo Inflight Internet service to offer broad- band Internet service to both commercial and business aviation. mar2010 US Airways takes to the sky with Gogo Inflight Internet on five of its Airbus A321 aircraft. 2007 American Airlines and Virgin America became the first U.S.-based commercial airlines to announce their plans for Inflight Internet by se- apr2010 Aircell announces Frontier Airlines as its ninth airline partner, lecting Aircell’s Gogo Inflight Internet service. as the airline offers Gogo Inflight Internet on board its Embraer fleet. jan2008 Aircell completes the build-out of its own Aircell Mobile may2010 Alaska Airlines launches Gogo Inflight Internet on six Boeing Broadband Network or ATG system, comprised of a nationwide network 737-800 aircraft, beginning the airline’s plans for fleet-wide rollout of cellular towers. This is the first coast-to-coast, border-to-border, mo- bile broadband coverage over the continental U.S. may2011 American Airlines becomes the first airline to announce plans to incorporate Gogo’s new video product while simultaneously making an aug2008 Delta Air Lines selects Gogo Inflight Internet service and be- announcement to roll out Gogo Internet service to its entire domestic fleet. comes the first major airline to commit to deploy Inflight Internet across its entire domestic fleet. july2011 Aircell officially changes its name to Gogo and launches a rebranding campaign that includes a new logo. The Aircell name is aug2008 Gogo Inflight Internet service launches on American Airlines, retained in reference to its Business Aviation group. ushering in the age of Inflight Internet in the U.S. sept2008 Air Canada becomes the first international carrier to select Gogo inflight Internet service. nov2008 Gogo Inflight Internet service launches on its second airline, Vir- gin America. Virgin becomes the first-ever fleet-wide rollout of the service. FACTS & FAQ GOGO MATTERS OF FACT GOGO IS THE WORLD’S LEADING PROVIDER of in-air connectivity and turns a commercial plane into an entertainment and productivity hub, providing Wi-Fi access to the Web, personal IM, email accounts, and corporate VPN access, as well as real-time travel information, destination content, movies, magazines, shopping, and social network integration. GOGO IS FAR AND AWAY the world leader of in-air connectivity with more than 1,100 commercial and 5,000 business air- craft equipped with the company’s services across its ATG and satellite technology platforms. GOGO IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE on all domestic AirTran, Delta, and Virgin America flights and on select Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier, United Airlines and US Airways flights – as well as on thousands of business aircraft – bringing the total to more than 6,000 Gogo equipped aircraft to date. Pricing Gogo is available to all passengers traveling with Wi-Fi-enabled devices on Gogo equipped flights, with prices starting at $4.95 for a single session. Various monthly and 24-hour passes are also available on select airlines. Please visit gogoair.com and to learn more about Gogo’s pricing structure. How it works Once the aircraft has reached 10,000 feet, users can simply turn on their Wi-Fi enabled laptops, smartphones, or tablets, open their browsers, and access the Gogo entertainment portal page where they sign up and begin surfing the web. They can also shop exclusive in-air deals; purchase movies or TV shows through Gogo’s video product; stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues through social media, instant message, and chat; access real-time flight updates and destination information; and more. Our technology Gogo is powered by its unique air-to-ground system, which uses three antennas installed on the outside of the aircraft (two ATG antennas on the bottom, one GPS/PCS antenna on the top) and runs over the Gogo Network, an exclusive nationwide mobile broadband network. The system transmits a Wi-Fi signal inside the cabin. Gogo uses a widely deployed wireless data technology (EV-DO Rev. A) modified for the company’s unique air-to-ground service. In conjunction with other Gogo network and system features, this technology enables the service to provide a rich 3G wireless experience for airborne web surfers. The Gogo connectivity system is lightweight (approx. 125 pounds) and does not significantly impact fuel burn. Aircraft installation of the Gogo system can be completed in as little as one work shift, reducing or eliminating aircraft downtime. FACTS & FAQ FAQ What is Gogo? Gogo is the exclusive flight upgrade that keeps you online and connected to life, including all your essential business, even from the lofty height of 30,000 feet. How do passengers connect to Gogo? Once the plane is at its cruising altitude, passengers can use any Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to Gogo. That includes your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. How fast is Gogo? Broadband fast. Gogo’s network is similar to mobile broadband on the ground. How secure is Gogo? Very. The system has been certified by the FAA and the network is wholly owned and managed by Gogo.