Apcela agrees to SmartSky acquisition

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Apcela to acquire SmartSky air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity network.

Apcela is to acquire the SmartSky air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity network.

Communications company Apcela has agreed to acquire the defunct SmartSky air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity network by the end of the year.

SmartSky ceased operations on August 16, 2024 after failing in its bid to compete with ATG rival Gogo.

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Jet owners with SmartSky systems will be able to reconnect to the network in the next 60 days, according to Apcela’s CEO Mark Casey.

The US-based Apcela has 20 years of experience in the communications network industry and built and managed SmartSky’s terrestrial network.

“By integrating SmartSky’s capabilities and Apcela’s advanced networking platforms, Apcela will launch a new aviation centric business that will provide unmatched performance and security, ensuring that airlines, corporate jet fleets and other operators have access to fast, secure, and scalable solutions in real-time, anywhere,” the company said.

The new operation will combine key personnel from SmartSky with Apcela’s leadership. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SmartSky invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the build-out of its connectivity infrastructure before going live in 2021.

It claimed it products were “groundbreaking” and that it was “growing our market share” but it was unable to secure further financing to “continue our mission”.

“SmartSky was founded with a bold vision: to revolutionize 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,” the company’s website said, announcing its closure.

“We hope that SmartSky’s achievements have inspired others to dream big, push boundaries, and pursue transformative ideas to reshape the future.”

 

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