SKYLinkSM in-Flight Internet Adds European Coverage, Tallies 50th Customer thru GulfstreamOctober 17, 2006Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC DirectSM today announced it has extended its SKYLinkSM broadband Internet service for business jets to the skies above more than 20 countries in Europe. The expansion effectively doubles geographic market coverage for SKYLink, today’s only commercially available ultra-high speed Ku-band Internet satellite service for business aircraft. ARINC Direct also noted the sale of its 50th set of avionics to its SKYLink launch customer, Gulfstream Aerospace. About 20% of Gulfstream’s new G450 and G550 aircraft are ordered with BBML (Broadband Multi-Link) avionics for SKYLink broadband service, and this percentage has been steadily rising since introduction of the service in April 2005. “Achieving this level of success in just 18 months of service demonstrates three key strengths behind our SKYLink rollout: a conservative business plan, strongly committed investor and technology partners, and a robust global communications network,” stated Robert B Thompson, Senior Director, ARINC Business Aviation Systems. ARINC and investor/technology partner SES AMERICOM took SKYLink live over North America in April 2005, with Gulfstream as the exclusive launch customer. “We made a conscious decision to launch SKYLink one region at a time, and to focus on the thriving market of business aviation. This strategy has clearly worked,” stated Thompson. SKYLink provides high speed in-flight Internet, Intranet, Voice over IP (VoIP), Fax over IP (FoIP) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. Since April 2006, ARINC has also signed aftermarket distribution agreements with major aircraft modification houses—including Jet Aviation, Landmark Aviation and Duncan Aviation—and is currently pursuing OEM distribution agreements with other major manufacturers of business aircraft. “As the world’s largest provider of air to ground airline communications, ARINC has significant market credibility,” continued Thompson. “Our global network—with existing ground earth station agreements, established customer billing systems, and a 24/7 network operations center—easily supports our SKYLink service as an incremental cost.” In addition, SKYLink uses extremely cost-effective avionics developed by ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT)—small and lightweight at just 42 pounds. ViaSat also provided SKYLink networking technology to carry transmission and reception on a single Ku-band transponder, further reducing SKYLink operating costs. SKYLink’s European coverage is provided under a cooperative agreement between ViaSat and SkyLogic S.A. using a SkyLogic ground earth station in Milan, Italy. Additional SKYLink coverage is under development for the North Atlantic flight tracks, connecting SKYLink’s North American coverage with the European coverage area. ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,200 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Release: 06-151 Corporate Communications |
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