Top 5 things to consider when choosing an airborne network

If you’re considering an investment in inflight Wi-Fi service for your business or private jet, knowing what you should look for can help you choose a solution with confidence. When connecting to the Internet in flight, you may have high expectations based on what you experience on the ground.

Based on the airborne network you choose, transitioning your online activities from office to aircraft can go without a hitch, or you might be forced to pause what you’re doing until you arrive at your next destination. Knowing what you want to do when connecting in flight, and knowing how to make sense of the choices available to you can go a long way.

At Gogo, we know a thing or two about what to consider when choosing an inflight connectivity provider. To be sure you get a Wi-Fi solution that works, we’ve created a quick list of the top 5 questions to ask when choosing an inflight connectivity network. 

Q1: Does speed matter? 

Let's face it. When it comes to connectivity, you hear a lot about speed. Sure, speed matters, but it's not the only thing to consider when choosing your inflight Internet network. 

Network speed is like the speed limit on a highway. It tells you how fast you can go - but it doesn't tell you how fast you will go. That's an important distinction.

• Network speed only speaks to the network's maximum potential.
• Your actual in flight user experience will depend on speed plus other factors, such as network capacity and coverage.

Q2: What's the difference between speed and capacity? 

If speed tells you how fast you can drive on a highway, capacity tells you how many lanes the highway has.

• The more lanes you have, the more likely it is that you can reach the speed limit when others are on the same highway.
• Networks with greater capacity deliver a better experience to all users in flight because it's built to handle influences such as: traffic volume, bandwidth usage, and available spectrum and infrastructure.

Q3: How reliable is the airborne network?

Is your highway full of potholes, construction zones and detours? You should find out because a highway's physical condition can also affect the quality of your drive.

• It's the same with an inflight network. Infrastructure, technological reliability and spectrum interference (or noise) can have a major impact on performance.
• Look for a seamless network of towers, sufficient available spectrum, proven and tested equipment, and advanced antennas - which are all necessary for a superior Internet experience in the air.

Q4: What about coverage?

A good highway doesn't suddenly stop in Kansas.

• When exploring inflight Wi-Fi, make sure that the network you choose will keep you seamlessly connected wherever you fly.
• Ask if the network has a fully-built infrastructure including towers, satellites, sectors, and redundancy.

Q5: Who can I trust?

When you're ready to jump on the highway, do your research and don't risk it. Go with the partner that has years of experience and a solid record of performance: Gogo Business Aviation.

• Convenient online account management
• 24/7 award-winning customer service
• Great coverage and reliability
• Established network

Now that you know what awesome looks like, let's find the right solution for you. Connect with a Gogo Business Aviation connectivity consultant. We're ready to answer your questions and determine the right solution for your inflight Wi-Fi needs.