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Aircell Reaches Key Development Milestones with its High Speed Internet System for Business Aviation Market

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 10:00 CDT

Development program firmly on track; Aircell looks ahead to market debut

DALLAS, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- [AEA International Convention & Trade Show] -- Aircell, the world's leading provider of airborne communications, announces the achievement of several key development milestones for the company's high-speed Internet system for the business aviation market. Advance provisioning equipment is available now and full system shipments will begin this September.

Powered by the Aircell(R) Network, the Aircell High Speed Internet system allows passengers and crews to use their own Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to surf the Web, send and receive e-mail with attachments, Instant Message, access their corporate VPN and much more - all at full mobile broadband speeds in flight. The Aircell Network utilizes the latest 3G mobile wireless technology, operating in the U.S. over an advanced network of ground stations and Aircell's exclusive broadband air-to-ground spectrum.

The proprietary Aircell system is the only solution in business aviation that provides a true high speed Internet experience that equals what passengers are accustomed to on the ground, while being small and light enough to fit on virtually any business aircraft. It is up to 56 times faster than a traditional dial-up connection.

Aircell High Speed Internet - Summary of Key Developments

• The high speed Internet equipment for business aviation - the Aircell ATG 4000 - is on schedule for delivery in September this year. A shipping backlog exists and shipments will be fulfilled according to when orders were received.
• The commercial airline version of the service - Gogo(R) Inflight Internet - has been selected by airlines representing more than half of the North American mainline market. The system is flying today with American Airlines, Virgin America and Delta Air Lines. It is coming soon to Air Canada, Northwest and United Airlines with additional airlines to be announced soon.
• The Aircell onboard equipment and air-to-ground network have exceeded expectations for reliability, performance and ease-of-use in round-the-clock service in the airline market. Passengers continue to give the system rave reviews.
• Pre-production prototypes of the business aviation equipment package (including the Aircell ATG 4000 unit) have been up and operating live in Aircell's development facility for several months.
• Qualification testing and the STC/PMA certification process for the ATG 4000 are well underway.
• Aircell is set to launch its alpha testing phase in the coming weeks, where an extensive protocol of flight & usability tests will be carried out aboard live aircraft.
• Development of provisioning kits - including the antenna system, connectors, wiring and mounting tray - is now complete and the kits are available to business aircraft operators. Installing a provisioning kit during scheduled downtime simplifies the installation once the ATG 4000 units become available in September.

John Wade, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aircell, commented, "The Aircell High Speed Internet system is game-changing technology that will dramatically transform the business aviation travel experience. What better way to increase the productivity and utility of a business aircraft than by allowing passengers to do business en route - giving them full and effortless access to their corporate VPN, high speed Internet, e-mail with attachments and much more." Wade continued, "We're very pleased that our business aviation development program continues to achieve its milestones. The ATG 4000 will be a very mature product when it comes to market - one that will benefit from nearly two years of network service history and tens of thousands of hours in revenue service with commercial airlines," concluded Wade.

Aircell Makes History on the CBS Early Show

The groundbreaking nature of Aircell's new Inflight Internet services has attracted a whirlwind of interest from worldwide media outlets in recent months. Aircell was featured recently on The CBS Early Show, which was broadcast live over the Aircell Network aboard a Virgin America A319 aircraft flying over Boston. Representing a first for aviation and broadcast television, the Aircell Network flawlessly delivered live television to more than 4,000,000 viewers while traveling at 35,000 feet and 500 miles per hour that morning. Multiple broadcasts were featured, including live interviews with Sir Richard Branson and Aircell CEO Jack Blumenstein. Web-resolution copies of these historic video segments are available at the following hyperlink:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/12/earlyshow/main4796004.shtml

Equipment & Integration Information

The Aircell ATG 4000 High Speed Internet system is a modular add-on to the Aircell Axxess(R) cabin system. For connecting passenger devices in the cabin, customers can choose to install wired or wireless (Wi-Fi) connections with their installation. The popularity of this new system is generating an order backlog - interested operators are encouraged to see their dealer or contact Aircell immediately. Please note that aircraft upgrades like the Aircell High Speed Internet system may be eligible for bonus tax depreciation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

In addition to Aircell's exclusive air-to-ground high speed Internet system for the continental U.S., Aircell is offering its satellite-based SwiftBroadband product for global service, which will be available in July. Aircell's SwiftBroadband product is powered by Thrane & Thrane.

About Aircell

Aircell is the world's leading provider of airborne communications and a single-source, turnkey provider of equipment, service, and technical support. Its products are offered by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world's four largest fractional ownership fleets. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary new mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell(R) Network and its inflight portal, known as Gogo(R), revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. The Aircell Network provides airlines with connectivity to operations and a path to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television and more. A similar feature set is available to Business aircraft operators. Aircell has facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell's vision is to give everyone the ability to stay In Touch, In Flight(R). For more information about Aircell, please visit www.aircell.com.

(C) 2009 Aircell. All rights reserved. Aircell, Aircell Axxess, Gogo, and In Touch, In Flight are registered trademarks of Aircell Business Aviation Services LLC or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact Tom Myers Director, Marketing Phone +1.303.301.3237 tmyers@aircell.com

SOURCE Aircell

Source: PR Newswire

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