Gogo Goes LTE and 5G

It’s been a busy year for Gogo as the US-headquartered company rewrites the connectivity rulebook. In March, the Gogo Galileo LEO service launched, delivering global satellite connectivity to business aircraft of all sizes through its electronically steered antennas, the FDX and HDX. It has been headlining internationally ever since, owing to its incomparable performance, rapid rollout of STCs, and truly global consistency of service delivery. In parallel, Gogo has been putting the final pieces of its air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity puzzle in place with the completion of flight testing of its much-anticipated Gogo 5G network, scheduled to begin service in early 2026, and its new Gogo Biz LTE network upgrade, which is close to completion.

When Gogo activates the Gogo 5G service, a new era of ATG connectivity will begin, as the 5G technology represents the most capable ground network for broadband to date. The advanced 5G network will provide a genuine broadband experience for aircraft of all sizes and enable additional connectivity capacity for aircraft fitted with a Gogo Galileo system, as the cabin hardware is compatible with both ATG and satellite networks.

The upgraded Gogo Biz LTE system will replace the existing Classic Gogo Biz network, which was launched in 2008. The update has been necessary to meet the needs of today’s connectivity devices, which have evolved significantly from the clunky cellphones and handsets of the late 00s. The upgraded Gogo Biz LTE system will provide operators with the option to enjoy improved connectivity when it switches on in May 2026. This is an immovable date as we are fulfilling a Federal Communications Commission mandate.

This means that in May 2026, aircraft equipped only with Gogo’s Classic ATG 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000, or 8000 LRUs will lose connectivity. Operators must exchange existing aircraft hardware with the new Gogo options before this date to maintain connectivity. Without an LTE-ready box, the ATG service will simply switch off.

Gogo wants to keep its customers connected, which is why it’s making the hardware exchanges as seamless as possible. It has prepared its dealer network for easy access to LRUs, is offering major financial incentives for equipment upgrades, and is working closely with MROs to ensure customers have access to technicians and slots to efficiently complete the hardware exchange. The ATG equipment has also been streamlined, and connection to Gogo ATG solutions requires just a pair of small, belly-mounted antennas, plus the relevant internal line replaceable unit (LRU), or ‘box’.

For Classic Gogo Biz network users, there are good reasons to make the change. In its original form, the ‘Classic’ Gogo Biz network ATG enabled only basic connectivity, and while satellite communications antennas are now sufficiently compact to be installed on a wider variety of aircraft, ATG remains an extremely cost-effective connectivity solution for privately owned aircraft operating mainly within the US and parts of Canada.

The ‘Classic’ Gogo Biz network has been upgraded from 3G to 4G, using frequencies leased from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), so Gogo is upgrading the Classic Gogo Biz network to a Gogo Biz North American 850MHz Licensed LTE network. Customers with Classic ATG LRUs are being encouraged to upgrade to the AVANCE L3 or AVANCE L5 platforms, the latest LRUs, which are LTE-ready. AVANCE boxes installed prior to August 2021, require a minor upgrade for LTE compatibility, after which the modified AVANCE L3 and AVANCE L5 LRUs will deliver a noticeably faster, more robust LTE connection.

Aware that some owners will not be ready for or may not require the additional capabilities of AVANCE, Gogo is also offering the Gogo C1, a form-fit LRU that directly replaces legacy equipment and generally takes less than a day to equip. Gogo C1 supplemental type certificates are available for 42 aircraft models. The C1 box will transition seamlessly to the upgraded LTE network in May 2026 but will not provide any service improvements over the legacy equipment. Gogo is supporting its customers by offering incentives, including a $35,000 rebate* for the Gogo C1 and offers for the AVANCE platforms.

Recognizing that some ATG customers would require bandwidth beyond what is available even with the upgraded LTE service, Gogo began its ambitious 5G network development program several years ago.   Gogo 5G is engineered to optimize connectivity, enabling data-intensive activities such as Teams calls and online gaming, and will deliver genuine broadband to the cabin with speeds of up to 80Mbps.

The Gogo 5G service actually combines both the new 5G network and the soon to be upgraded licensed Gogo Biz LTE network, and as such, requires a two multiband antennas and the installation of either the AVANCE LX5 or Gogo X3 to connect to both networks at the same time. More than 400 aircraft have been pre-provisioned with the necessary equipment and require only the addition of a Gogo X3 or the exchange of the AVANCE L5 with an AVANCE LX5.

The 5G tower network is already deployed and fully operational, with 150 towers providing uninterrupted coverage across the contiguous US, and an additional 20 towers extending that coverage into Canada. The 5G aircraft antennas have been approved, and the ground data center is ready for 5G. The AVANCE LX5 and Gogo X3 LRUs had previously been certified with the 4G chip, and most recently achieved minor change approval with the 5G chip.

As well as satisfying data-hungry customers who seldom fly outside the US, the Gogo 5G service is a great alternative connectivity system for aircraft regularly operating over the US that are also equipped with the Gogo Galileo terminals, a geostationary orbit (GEO), or other satcom system. It offers a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to satellite communications or a reliable backup should the primary system become unavailable. Aircraft equipped with a Gogo Galileo antenna on the roof and 5G multiband MB13 antennas on the belly need only have a Gogo AVANCE LX5 LRU installed to connect with Gogo’s satcom and ultimate ATG services.

Whether operators need simple texting and calling, improved connectivity for Teams calls and internet browsing, or high-speed broadband, the Gogo ATG product portfolio has a solution for every need.

*The promo form & PO must be submitted by December 31, 2025. Installation and activation must be completed by June 30, 2026.