SmartSky Networks’ patented SmartSky 4G radio system
has completed the major milestone of receiving FCC certification, clearing the way for deployment of the ultra-fast SmartSky 4G
air-to-ground network later this year, with nationwide service launching in mid-2017.
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Haynes
Griffin, SmartSky Chairman and CEO, stated,
“After investing tens of millions of dollars and over five
years of research and development effort, SmartSky’s
now certified technology has unlocked enough spectrum to be able to offer, for the first time, the
reliable use of a sophisticated, custom-designed 4G
system that can deliver an office-like internet experience in the air for both business aviation and
commercial aviation customers.”
FCC certification is the culmination of work to develop
and patent protect the multiple bodies of technology
that uniquely enable SmartSky to make use of the
unlicensed 2.4 GHz spectrum band, all without causing
harmful interference to or receiving interference from the
operation of the same band on the ground. |
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Haynes Griffin, SmartSky Networks
Chairman and CEO |
Despite the widespread assertion that aviation-related spectrum reuse in the unlicensed band
would not be feasible, SmartSky has successfully solved the challenge by implementing new
technical methods that are broadly covered by its robust and growing portfolio of 20 granted
patents. Additional patents are pending.
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Reed
Hundt, SmartSky’s Vice Chairman of the Board
and former Chairman of the FCC, remarked, “Long ago,
the FCC authorized the allocation of large blocks of
unlicensed spectrum to foster innovation and encourage
competition.
"Today, we see the amazing results of that prescient
regulation, which has resulted in ubiquitous Wi-Fi on the
ground.
"By application of novel technologies using 2.4 GHz
unlicensed spectrum, SmartSky’s breakthrough will finally
give the aviation industry the superior connectivity now
taken for granted terrestrially.” |
Reed Hunt,
SmartSky Networks Vice Chairman of the Board and former
Chairman of the FCC. |
Roberson and Associates, a highly regarded independent wireless industry consulting firm,
investigated the ability of SmartSky’s radio technology to seamlessly coexist with terrestrial
Wi-Fi. CEO Dennis
Roberson, who is also Chairman of the FCC’s Technical Advisory Council,
commented, “SmartSky’s technology solution is transparent to Wi-Fi users on the ground,
enabling the air-to-ground sharing of the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band.”
SmartSky’s technology and patent portfolio is not limited to the unlicensed band. Most of the
patents apply to any frequency and any waveform in any high speed air-to-ground network.
Because these are broad patents, SmartSky enables underlying technical advances to be
incorporated into its conceptual solution. “Over time, this will allow SmartSky to keep pace with
the latest advances in computing, antennas, radios and networking while still being protected by
our foundational patents,” said Griffin. |