ARINC Direct^SM Introduces Swift^TM Satellite Services for Business Jets

October 17, 2006

Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC Direct^SM today announced it will provide popular Inmarsat Swift satellite communications services directly for operators of corporate jet aircraft equipped with any brand of Swift capable hardware, effective immediately.  The offering includes Swift64, Swift128, and Swift256 services priced significantly below industry reseller rates.

ARINC Direct is also deploying additional hardware and software, including xPand^TM technology, at ground earth stations around the globe to further improve throughput on the Swift channels. This worldwide capability is anticipated in 30 days, and will support aircraft equipped with the  EMS CNX200 Router with xPand^TM technology.  ARINC’s initial test results show a Swift 128 implementation with xPand^TM compression and acceleration technology is capable of passing through data at the equivalent of 1.3 Mbps channel, a more than ten-fold improvement.

“ARINC has been providing Swift satellite services to commercial airlines, industry resellers, and the military for many years,” stated Steve Means, ARINC Vice President, Aviation Solutions. “We have decided to take our Swift experience, pair it with new technology, and introduce it at a compelling price point as an additional ARINC Direct service aimed at meeting the needs of business aviation.

There are nearly 10,000 business jets registered in North America, and a significant fraction of the larger aircraft are equipped for Swift communications.

“ARINC is already the wholesaler behind customers’ Swift services in many instances,” continued Means. “This offering gives large operators even more reason to become a customer of ARINC Direct. They can save 10-15% immediately on their Swift communications, and if they sign for ARINC Direct flight support services they will receive an additional discount and enjoy simple, consolidated billing.”

Additionally, customers using both ARINC’s higher-throughput SKYLink broadband passenger communication system and ARINC Direct Swift services automatically receive global seamless hand-offs between the two systems, providing both improved reliability and expanded coverage.

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: 06-154

Corporate Communications
corpcomm@arinc.com
410-266-4652