New Service Provides Broadband To Air Passengers

Communications Today, Dec 14, 2001

AIRTV and Rockwell Collins [COL] have agreed to pursue joint business opportunities using Rockwell Collins' Integrated Information System to allow AIRTV to deliver flight information, Web content and television programming to commercial aircraft, the companies said in a joint statement.

The phased program will begin with the delivery and storage of information onboard aircraft using Rockwell Collins' gatelink hardware and network server unit, components of its Integrated Information System (I2S). This will be followed by the introduction of AIRTV's global broadband satellite network, which will provide in-flight, direct-to-aircraft (DTAsm) distribution at 80 Mbps per satellite (320 Mbps globally with the four-satellite network).

Rockwell Collins I2S is an open architecture system that provides flexible, PC-like computing capability. Elements of the system can be configured to provide aircraft operators and passengers with access to a variety of information. The system provides passengers with e-mail and Internet capability as well as flight-deck and operational applications to airline crews.

AIRTV is developing a dedicated network of four high-capacity S-band satellites to provide real-time TV, audio, Internet, e-mail and flight information services to aircraft flying all the world's main air routes. The AIRTV network will supply 40-plus channels of video entertainment, as well as 40 Mbps of e-mail, Internet and data connectivity per satellite. >TK Ciena [CIEN]: