On June 16, 2025, Gogo and its technology partner GCT Semiconductor achieved a key milestone: a successful first end‑to‑end 5G air‑to‑ground (ATG) call, validating that Gogo’s thumb‑sized 5G chipset is fully operational and ready to move into final integration and field deployment
Technical Breakthrough
- Miniaturized 5G Integration
GCT Semiconductor delivered and integrated the new 5G chipset—roughly thumb‑sized—into Airspan’s hardware and software stack. This lab‑based end‑to‑end call proves readiness to begin final integration trials and optimization - FAA-Endorsed AVANCE LX5 LRU
Formal approval from the FAA for the AVANCE LX5 Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) has been obtained. This smaller, single-box solution is central to streamlining aircraft installations - Robust Infrastructure Backing
Gogo has built out a substantial infrastructure:- 170 5G towers across the U.S. and parts of Canada
- A freshly installed 5G core at its data center
- A purpose-designed 5G aircraft antenna
- AVANCE LX5 LRUs optimized explicitly for 5G
Customer Readiness & Deployment
- Pre-Provisioned Fleet
More than 300 business aircraft in the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) are already pre‑provisioned and scheduled for rapid integration - Efficient Installation Path
Full system retrofit installations typically require ~2 weeks, while aircraft already equipped with AVANCE LX5 can be upgraded more quickly.
Why It Matters
- Unmatched Onboard Experience
Gogo’s 5G ATG solution is tailored for business aviation workflows—supporting high-bandwidth video conferencing, uninterrupted streaming, and multi-device connectivity at high altitudes. - Infrastructure-Driven Performance Leap
By combining FAA-certified hardware with a widespread 5G tower network and integrated core, Gogo’s system is positioned to deliver far greater resilience and throughput than legacy ATG systems . - Accelerating Market Rollout
With regulatory approval, equipment readiness, and infrastructure in place, Gogo projects full deployment to begin imminently, targeting customer rollouts by year-end 2025.
Gogo CEO Perspective
Chris Moore, CEO of Gogo, emphasized the achievement:
“Our North American tower network is 5G‑ready, the antennas are prepared for shipping, and the technology is in place… We’re excited to be moving closer to our goal of delivering 5G connectivity to customers by the end of the year… This is certainly a defining moment for business aviation connectivity.”
Conclusion
Gogo’s first end-to-end 5G ATG call proves that miniaturized 5G chipsets can operate reliably in aviation environments. With FAA-certified hardware, extensive tower coverage, and a clear deployment timeline, Gogo is on course to transform business aviation connectivity. This milestone also underscores the growing convergence between 5G networks and intelligent vehicle platforms—a topic at the heart of 6GWorld’s upcoming summit.
