SmartSky Networks, the Charlotte startup rolling out an air-to-ground 4G wireless network it says will enable airline passengers to use their own devices for network access, has closed a second round of financing totaling $170 million.

To date, SmartSky has raised nearly $250 million in equity with Goldman, Sachs & Co. helping the startup. It disclosed raising some $67 million last month.

“We are pleased to have accomplished the threshold technical and business milestones needed to close on this major capital formation step,” said Chairman and CEO Haynes Griffin. “As a result, we are moving rapidly with the deployment of our coast-to-coast national network to bring users fast, seamless connectivity in the air.”

SmartSky plans to roll out its air-to-ground network, SmartSky 4G, later this year, with nationwide coverage slated for 2017.

“A significant number of customers joined our Early Bird waiting list to secure their spot at the head of the line,” Griffin saod.

“SmartSky and its partners have already begun the process of obtaining a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) needed for installation on each aircraft model type. We expect Early Bird customer installs of our patented technology to commence next quarter, immediately following completion of the first few STCs.”

Customers will be able to use their own devices to send and receive emails with large attachments, send text messages and make phone calls.

  • VIDEO: Watch an overview presentation about SmartSky at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrpggzIcLq0

SmartSky says it is the only in-flight network using cell phone towers rather than satellites to offer connectivity, made possible by cost-effective patented technology.

SmartSky’s internet service is targeted for mid-size and larger cabin business aviation and commercial aircraft operators.

Last year, SmartSky, previously Jetpool Ventures, entered into a strategic partnership with Melbourne, Florida–based Avidyne Corporation, provider of computer network and safety systems for aircraft.

The company launched in 2011.

What SmartSky offers: ‘Improved Performance + Lower Costs’

SmartSky 4G brings bidirectional, high bandwidth and extremely low latency to inflight connectivity. Leverage SmartSky 4G through SmartSky Select, which identifies apps and services that have been tailored to run on our fast network, thus generating significant benefits and cost savings, including reducing direct operating expenses and lowering your total cost of aircraft ownership.

  • Optimized flight paths
  • Fuel savings
  • Engine/airframe monitoring
  • Analytics and predictive maintenance
  • Continuous hi-def weather and turbulence mapping
  • Data sensor collection

“For the first time, you’ll be able to do the things you want and need while in the air. Use your own devices to send and receive emails with large attachments. (spreadsheets and presentations) Use your smartphone with your phone number for Text messages and calls. All this is made possible by our patented, 4G beamforming technology using 60 MHz of wireless spectrum and built upon a cost-effective, air-to-ground (ATG) platform of cell towers rather than satellites.”

Source: SmartSky