FCC commissioners vote to expand availability of airborne Wi-Fi access
Skift Take
The FCC is pushing the FAA to act faster regarding use of in-flight electronics, and this is yet the latest shove to get the aviation administration moving.
The Federal Communications Commission took a step toward improving Web access for air travelers, voting to write rules to open frequencies for an air-to-ground Internet service proposed by Qualcomm Inc.
The agency in a 4-0 vote today advanced the plan to help travelers pull in Facebook pages, spreadsheets, videos, games and music on planes equipped with Wi-Fi systems. The next- generation service needs another vote before final approval by the agency, which is changing leadership.
“We take an important step to improve in-flight broadband service,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who is to step down May 17 after leading the agency since 2009. A successor awaits Senate confirmation.
The global market for in-flight entertainment and communications is estimated to grow to $3 billion in 2017, from $2 billion in 2012, Gogo Inc., an in-flight communications company, said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission April 16.
In 2012, Gogo served 1,811 commercial aircraft, or 82 percent of Internet-enabled North American planes, the company said in its filing. The average revenue per passenger session with the service was $9.74 in 2012, Gogo said in its filing.
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