US-based Gogo has entered into a deal to utilise Intelsat’s Epic network to deliver in-flight Wi-Fi internet services to passenger aircraft operating in North Atlantic routes.

As part of the deal, Gogo will use high-throughput services from the first satellite in the Intelsat 29e Epic network.

Operational since earlier this year, Intelsat 29e will provide bridge services for Gogo until Intelsat 32e becomes operational by next year.

The new Intelsat 33e will further expand Gogo’s services across Europe, Middle East and Asia in future.

Gogo president and CEO Michael Small said: “The performance of the Intelsat Epic satellites demonstrates the value of high-throughput satellite technology.

“When factoring in the ease of integration to Intelsat Epic services, we opted to begin services with Intelsat 29e immediately and transition to Intelsat 32e when it becomes operational.

"This enables Gogo to begin delivering broadband-enabled, in-flight Wi-Fi services in the North Atlantic today.”

“We look forward to expanding our reach as more Intelsat Epic satellites become available.”

In March, the company entered into a deal, under which Intelsat agreed to provide next generation in-flight connectivity services via multi-layered Ku-band services on its Epic satellites combined with OneWeb’s proposed low earth orbit satellite constellation to Gogo.

Coverage under the deal includes high-performance connectivity provided by Intelsat 32e, Intelsat 33e and Horizons 3e satellites.

Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler said: “Intelsat is delivering on the promise of HTS with Intelsat EpicNG, with a unique design that provides immediate improvement in performance of up to 165%.

“Customers are easily transitioning to the platform, validating our backwards-compatible, open-architecture design, and this enables Gogo to begin delivering broadband-enabled, in-flight Wi-Fi services in the North Atlantic today.”

Intelsat is also currently providing its IntelsatOne managed services via its teleport in Mountainside, Maryland, US, to Gogo.