SKYLink Tests New Broadband Coverage of North Atlantic Flight Tracks


Annapolis, Maryland, USA, May 17, 2007-ARINC Incorporated this week announced it is testing Ku-band satellite coverage of the North Atlantic flight tracks and will soon expand its SKYLinkSM in-flight broadband communications offering.

North Atlantic coverage was activated May 14 over a Loral SkyNet satellite, and ARINC is currently verifying the SKYLink signal strength and geographic footprint.

The expanded SKYLink service is expected to be available in June, and coverage is projected to include much of northern Canada and south Greenland, in addition to the North Atlantic.

The new coverage will allow SKYLink's European and North American customers to enjoy seamless broadband communications in flight all the way from eastern Europe to the U.S. Pacific coast-a distance of more than 8,000 miles.

"SKYLink high-speed broadband service will keep business leaders connected in the skies of more than 25 countries, as well as on the world's busiest Oceanic routes," stated Joe Inglisa, Director, ARINC SKYLink Program. "SKYLink access to broadband data and VoIP communications will cover a geographic area that includes the majority of the world's business jet traffic."

SKYLink previously offered its customers Swift64 service on the North Atlantic routes,
but that connectivity is slower and more costly than broadband. "Most SKYLink customers in Europe and North America already have roaming contracts, and the new Ku-band connectivity will actually save them money," added Inglisa. "The rates are less than half, the connection is significantly faster, and the broadband connection will handle multiple users on the same aircraft."

SKYLink, the world's only satellite broadband communications service for business aircraft, originally launched with coverage of the United States, most of southern Canada, and Mexico. Coverage in Europe was added in the summer of 2006, and coverage of the North Atlantic region will link the two areas. ARINC is looking into adding further SKYLink coverage.

"We are evaluating the demand for in-flight broadband services in other regions, and for a greater range of corporate aircraft as well," Inglisa added. "We expect to add coverage in the Caribbean and portions of South and Central America later this year."

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. For more information, visit the ARINC web site at www.arinc.com.

SKYLINKSM ADDING NORTH ATLANTIC BROADBAND SERVICE-ARINC SKYLinkSM is testing its new Ku-band satellite coverage of the North Atlantic flight tracks, bridging its existing coverage of North America and Europe. Corporate jets equipped for SKYLinkSM service will be able to stay connected from Europe all the way to the west coast of the United States, a distance of 8,000 miles. SKYLink is the world's only satellite broadband communication service for business aircraft.

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