ZTE and Qualcomm announced they've developed the networking platform for Aircell's Gogo inflight Internet service. Aircell's Air-to-Ground service relies on ZTE's EV-DO Rev. A base stations and IP switching platform and Qualcomm's aircraft-mounted modems.
Earlier this year, American Airlines launched Aircell's Gogo mobile broadband service on three coast-to-coast flights, making the service available for $12.95 per flight on its 15 Boeing 767-200 aircraft. And Delta Airlines is offering inflight WiFi access on a substantial number of aircraft. Air Canada will do so in the spring.
ZTE has deployed base stations across the U.S. to support service for Aircell's customers. While en route, subscriber WiFi traffic is transmitted to ZTE's CDMA EV-DO Rev. A networking equipment via Qualcomm's aircraft-mounted modems. The technology was engineered to accommodate the high speed and high altitude of aircraft connecting with the base station. As a result, the service dramatically improves upon previous in-flight wireless services, which were slow, expensive and complex, the companies said.
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