SmartSky Networks Ceases Operations

SmartSky Networks, the provider of an air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity system serving business aircraft, has ceased operations, citing its inability to obtain financing.

SmartSky, in a short message on its website, said it halted business operations as of Aug. 16 and provided an email address for inquiries. The Morrisville, North Carolina-based startup began developing its broadband network in 2011 and announced in August 2022 that the system was operational across the continental U.S.

"While our products were groundbreaking and we were growing our market share, we ultimately could not secure the necessary financing to continue our mission,” SmartSky said in the message.

Its cessation of operations leaves rival Gogo Business Aviation as the dominant provider of inflight connectivity for business aircraft. Gogo is developing both 5G ATG and satellite broadband networks; it expects to launch the 5G service in 2025.

As recently as early August, SmartSky had announced the award of FAA supplemental type certificates (STCs) and agreements with maintenance, repair and overhaul partners to install its SmartSky and SmartSky LITE hardware on a range of business aircraft, including Cessna Citation light jets, King Air turboprops, and Gulfstream, Bombardier and Embraer models. It said it had STCs covering 6,800 in-service aircraft, with more installations in progress. 

SmartSky said it began with a mission to improve aviation communications. “We successfully built and operated a leading, high-performance nationwide air-to-ground network using unlicensed spectrum, made possible by innovative patented technology. Along the way, our team dedicated great energy and expertise, earning several prestigious industry awards," it noted. 

The SmartSky network used 4G LTE and 5G wireless technologies and 60 MHz of spectrum in the unlicensed 2.4GHz band to provide a low-latency bidirectional data link to the aircraft. A SmartSky shipset consists of an aircraft base radio, installed on the avionics shelf, and quad and blade antennas mounted on the underside of the aircraft.

SmartSky Networks also waged a prolonged patent infringement lawsuit against Gogo that is scheduled for trial in April 2025.