Inflight Connectivity Provider SmartSky Achieves Key Milestones

An air-to-ground (ATG) inflight connectivity provider, SmartSky has achieved multiple key milestones since the company announced nationwide coverage last year.

Some of those achievements include customers completing more than 1,000 flights on the network, Volato joining as a fleet customer, Davinci Jets upgrading the majority of their managed fleet to SmartSky, sales and installation partners totaling nearly 25, and the system being installed and flying on nine aircraft models.

In addition, the SmartSky LITE system is installed and flying on five aircraft models, bringing no-device limit, streaming capabilities to the light jet and turboprop markets. 

Lastly, 17 more STCs were completed or are in progress. 

The company's next-generation network of 319 towers provides overlapping coverage nationwide and extending more than 150 miles offshore. The network is delivering continuous connection to utilize high-bandwidth applications in the cloud, video calls, livestreaming news and entertainment, and online gaming. Because each aircraft is assigned a separate connection, no bandwidth is shared with other aircraft. SmartSky does not limit the number of simultaneously connected devices and all its data plans include streaming.

"Our network utilizes a patented and optimized combination of 5G and LTE technologies designed for the unique demands of aviation communications, such as beamforming, to deliver a consistent high-speed experience nationwide. Our most active customer flights have consistently used almost 4GB per hour on the Flagship system and almost 3GB per hour on the LITE system. We define quality of service in two principal dimensions – ubiquitous, consistent connection and user experience – which combine forward-link speed, ultra-low latency, and return-link speed. We see Flagship customers achieving peak speeds of over 25 Mbps, and LITE customers with peaks over 20 Mbps. These are actual results, not theoretical.  While these statistics are helpful metrics, the most important one is the inflight experience. Feedback from pilots, passengers and support on the ground includes statements like, 'game changing,' 'connected for the entire flight,' 'lifesaver,' and 'real-time, no delay'," said Dave Helfgott, CEO of SmartSky.