AT&T aims to take on Gogo, launch in-flight network based on LTE
There may be some connectivity competition in the skies. AT&T said Monday that it plans to build a 4G LTE in-flight service to compete with Gogo.
The telecom giant said that its service will be available in late 2015 will provide Wi-Fi and entertainment. AT&T's air-to-ground network in the U.S. will be based on 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards.
According to the company, it will be able to build the service with existing spectrum.
In a statement, John Stankey, chief strategy officer at AT&T, said using LTE standards will "enable airlines and passengers to benefit from reliable high speeds and a better experience."
The network will be built with the help of Honeywell.
What's unclear is how AT&T will compete with Gogo, which has already established its network and partnerships with carriers. AT&T said it will use "existing relationships within the aviation industry" to gain distribution. AT&T, however, could bundle in-flight plans with its existing wireless service.
Pricing and availability will be announced before launch.
AT&T's move is designed to take advantage of frustrations with in-flight Wi-Fi, which can be clunky at times. Gogo, however, already has plans to improve its network and is launching international service too. Here's how Gogo sizes up the in-flight connectivity field. Add AT&T to that list.