Aircell Debuts New ATG 5000 High Speed Internet System With
First Installation On A Gulfstream G200
One of the principal reasons businesses operate corporate
aircraft is to avoid the working downtime often associated with
travel on commercial airlines. Aircell said Tuesday that the first
installation of the company's new ATG 5000 High Speed Internet unit
has been completed aboard a California-based Gulfstream G200
operated by FlightWorks, Inc.
The ATG 5000 provides standalone Aircell High Speed Internet
capabilities, but without the integrated voice and narrowband data
features of Aircell Axxess. The ATG 5000 can be installed alongside
existing equipment, saving downtime and reducing installation
costs. The system's combination of features, light weight and small
antennas make it an excellent fit for virtually any business
aircraft, including light business jets and turboprops.
John Wade, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aircell,
said, "As we begin 2010, the demand for Inflight Internet continues
to accelerate. Our new ATG 5000 offers a new segment of aircraft
operators the opportunity to increase their company's productivity
by keeping executives fully connected in flight."
A complete ATG 5000-based High Speed Internet package is simple
and extremely lightweight. It includes an ATG 5000 High Speed
Internet LRU (11 lbs, 3 MCU), two belly-mounted blade antennas
(1.25 lbs each) and an optional cabin telecommunications router (4
lbs). Wired or wireless (Wi-Fi) in-cabin connection options are
available.
The ATG 5000 began shipping last month, and the first
installation was performed by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp's Dallas
Service Center.
In addition to the Aircell High Speed Internet system for the
continental U.S., Aircell is offering its satellite-based
SwiftBroadband solution for global service. Aircell's
SwiftBroadband product is powered by Thrane & Thrane.
Aircell also said that, as of December of last year, all Aircell
ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 High Speed Internet systems include a
built-in feature that automatically manages multiple data networks
installed aboard an aircraft. Called WAN Management, it enables the
aircraft to automatically switch between Aircell High Speed
Internet and Aircell's SwiftBroadband equipment according to the
operator's pre-set preferences. For example, a typical
configuration is to have Aircell High Speed Internet set as the
aircraft's preferred network with an automatic default to
SwiftBroadband when the aircraft travels outside the continental
U.S. Aircell's WAN Management function emulates how the latest
multi-network consumer devices operate on the ground.