Wireless: FCC Grants Waiver to Operate New Air-Ground Phone System; Ruling Comes After Seven Years of Development - Company Business and Marketing

EDGE, On & About AT&T, Jan 4, 1999

Following an extensive evaluation process, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Monday granted cellular providers a waiver of approval for operation of AirCell, Inc.'s revolutionary new air-to-ground wireless phone system. AirCell provides personal air-to-ground wireless communications to the general aviation and commercial airline markets using its exclusive patented technology which connects their airborne telephone system to existing ground-based cellular networks.

The result is extremely clear voice and data communication (including fax, e-mail and internet access) at a fraction of the cost of current airborne phones. In winning this approval, AirCell performed numerous technical demonstrations monitored by the FCC, and field tests with 13 cellular partners. Throughout the approval process, AirCell's efforts were bolstered by support from several members of Congress and aviation community leaders who became major proponents of the technology's many benefits to the aviation and telecommunication industries. "This is a wonderful day for us and the culmination of an incredible seven year effort by a very dedicated group of individuals," said James Stinehelfer, president and CEO of AirCell. "It gives us great faith in our regulatory system to know that with a good idea, plenty of determination and enough heart - a small company can still be triumphant in today's market. Many thanks are due the FCC for recognizing the public benefit of this technology and allowing us to put it into widespread use." The new AirCell system not only provides passenger and pilot convenience at a much lower cost - it also greatly enhances the safety of flight in regard to communications. More decision-making data can now be affordably accessed by pilots in flight, and AirCell's phones can also provide a reliable back-up in case of a communications failure of the aircraft's normal radios. In addition, AirCell customers can also be immediately connected to the ground-based 911 operator closest to their position at the touch of a button should an emergency arise enroute. The FCC prohibits the use of conventional cellular telephones in airborne aircraft due to potential interference problems with the terrestrial ground-based network. Although AirCell operates on the same 800 MHz frequencies as cellular phones, the company has developed and patented technologies that keep its signal from being detected by conventional ground-based cell sites. Only those sites equipped with specialized AirCell antennas will receive the signal from the aircraft. After extensive testing demonstrated that AirCell's signals do not interfere with any ground-based cellular network, the FCC ruled that the prohibition against cellular phones in aircraft should not apply to AirCell's units - which was the last hurdle to be crossed prior to the granting of the final approval waiver. For more information on AirCell products or, to sign-up for service, customers are invited to call AirCell toll-free at (888) 328-0200 for the name of their nearest authorized dealer or visit the AirCell web site at www.aircell.com.