FCC Renews Gogo's Air-to-Ground Spectrum Licenses
The 10-year renewal extends Gogo's authorization to operate its exclusive nationwide air-to-ground spectrum through October 31, 2036.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Telecommunications
The Federal Communications Commission renewed Gogo's Commercial Aviation Air-Ground Radiotelephone licenses for an additional 10-year term. The renewal covers Gogo's exclusive 800 MHz air-to-ground spectrum across the United States.
Why it matters
The renewal secures continued operation of a nationwide network that powers in-flight connectivity on thousands of business aircraft across North America. It also supports the transition of legacy air-to-ground customers to Gogo's AVANCE platform.
Gogo's network operates on 800 MHz of exclusive air-to-ground spectrum supported by 150 towers, a footprint it has run since 2008. The renewal runs through October 31, 2036, though the filing does not detail any changes to spectrum allocation.
The players
Federal Communications Commission
The U.S. federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable, and that issues and renews spectrum licenses.
Gogo Inc.
A Broomfield, Colorado-based provider of in-flight connectivity that pioneered air-to-ground broadband for commercial and business aviation.
The details
Gogo is the sole licensee of this unencumbered spectrum, which it uses to deliver broadband to aircraft through the Gogo AVANCE and Gogo 5G systems. The FCC completed its renewal following a review of Gogo's application.
Timeline
2008: Gogo launches the first air-to-ground broadband network built for aviation in the U.S.
October 31, 2036: Renewed air-to-ground license authorization expires.
The Tech Race
The renewal keeps Gogo's exclusive air-to-ground spectrum in place as it migrates legacy customers onto the AVANCE platform, a shift away from its original 2008 network. Its nationwide spectrum position gives it a footing as in-flight connectivity competition continues across the aviation market.
Passengers on business aircraft equipped with Gogo's network will continue to receive in-flight broadband under the renewed license. Operators with legacy air-to-ground service will need to plan their transition to the AVANCE platform.
The takeaway
Continuity of the nationwide air-to-ground network matters most for aircraft operators who depend on it for connectivity. Watching how the legacy customer transition to AVANCE is handled will show how the network's next phase unfolds.
Further reading
For broader context on spectrum policy, see Telecommunications coverage across the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
