Another Competitor In Race To Connect PAX En Route

Eagle Broadband's etoolz subsidiary is at the Paris Air Show this week, demonstrating Eagle Broadband's Orb'Phone Exchange voice and data server for the Iridium satellite system.

The Orb'Phone Exchange is a system that provides, for the first time, true "total" global communications coverage for large numbers of users from non-line-of-sight environments. Previous technologies have allowed the use of a single Iridium phone via an external antenna.

The Orb'Phone Exchange allows a large number of simultaneous connections to be routed to and from the Iridium satellite system through one Orb'Phone Exchange. Orb'Phone anticipates providing a minimum of 20 voice lines, a fax line, text-messaging, and email services on commercial flights. Testing of the system has been progressing, and Eagle is working in conjunction with Iridium Satellite to achieve certification in the near future.

Dr. H. Dean Cubley, Chairman and CEO of Eagle Broadband, said in a release to ANN, "The display and demonstration of the Orb'Phone Exchange at the Paris Air Show is really the first time that this new product has been shown to the general user public. We have been working with a large number of potential customers to make them aware of the exciting capabilities of the Orb'Phone Exchange but this will be the first time they can actually pick up a handset and place a call or check email over the Iridium satellite system, all from the inside of an airplane."

"Our technology is delivering exactly what today's airline traveler wants," said Yves Hendrickx, President of Orb'Phone. "And, to the best of our knowledge, there are no other systems on the market that can match the Orb'Phone Exchange's total communications capabilities, coverage and pricing for voice, data and Internet connectivity. Every airline can afford our product on every type of aircraft, and we believe they can expect to generate positive cash flow on their Orb'Phone Exchange investment within a few months."

FMI: www.eaglebroadband.com