Gogo Encourages FCC To Hold Auction for ATG Mobile Broadband Spectrum

Gogo urged the FCC to hold an auction for air-to-ground mobile broadband service (AGMBS) spectrum, since the in-flight Wi-Fi provider needs additional spectrum capacity, said an ex parte notice posted Tuesday in docket 13-114. Gogo representatives met with Public Safety Bureau officials March 4 to discuss the proposed 14 GHz AGMBS, it said. Bureau and Gogo officials also discussed the company's efforts to accommodate flight safety, national security and law enforcement concerns that executive branch agencies had with its existing ATG service (see 1502120054). Gogo is willing to satisfy the conditions that the FBI requested be imposed for any AGMBS licensees, it said. In-flight broadband increases flight safety for passengers and crew members, Gogo said. Almost 50 airlines worldwide have introduced or will begin offering in-flight service with terrestrial or satellite systems, it said. A draft FCC order on ATG was taken off circulation, agency officials have said.