Submitted by Marshall Walker on
Gogo is rolling out a new service which allow passengers to send and receive text messages in real time by using the Gogo Talk & Text iOS or Android app. Gogo's chief marketing officer, Ash ElDifrawi, told The Verge that the service will use a person's own phone number so callers won't be confused.
"Gogo Text & Talk is just one more way Gogo is keeping airline passengers connected to their lives on the ground," said ElDifrawi. "While we see this as more of a text messaging product for commercial airlines in the United States, the phone functionality is something that some international air carriers and our business aviation customers are asking for."
Gogo has already launched the service with some of their business aviation customers, and plans to have it on commercial airlines later this year or by early 2014. Gogo's Talk & Text doesn't require the company to install anything new to an aircraft since it will utilize its existing in-flight Wi-Fi service. This will make it easier for Gogo to offer the application on the 2,000 Gogo equipped commercial aircraft already in the air. However, Gogo's Talk & Text will originally be offered as a separate service from its current internet packages which start at $14 a day. Gogo has also partnered with all four major US carriers so customers will not be charged roaming fees while making calls in the air.
Gogo offers in-flight connectivity to any Wi-Fi enabled device on airlines such as United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.