Aircell brings Internet via EV-DO and Wi-Fi to in-flight passengers via Gogo

AirCell’s Gogo service will allow browsing, emailing, instant messaging in flight over a modified EV-DO Rev A connection aimed to the skies. A router on-board will convert the EV-DO signal to Wi-Fi in a method similar to terrestrial EV-DO routers. This uses the same technology that Verizon and Sprint deploy, but it does not use their towers. Approximately 125 Aircell towers are placed across the country and aimed at the skies.

Gogo is launching this year on select American Airlines and Virgin America flights. At launch Internet access will be available on:

• San Francisco - JFK
• Los Angeles - JFK
• San Diego - San Francisco
• Las Angeles - Seattle
• San Francisco - Las Vegas

The cost is estimated to add $13 per trip for longer tips and $10 if your flight is less than three hours.