ARINC is now supporting the Rockwell
Collins eXchange broadband communications system for business jets.
Rockwell Collins announced the availability of eXchange with
service by SKYLink earlier this month. For business jets, eXchange
with service by SKYLink provides services similar to an office high
speed network connection, with high-speed connections to the
Internet, company Intranets, fax over IP (FoIP), voice over IP
(VoIP) telephone, and data services for Wi-Fi enabled smartphones
in the cabin.
Rockwell Collins will sell and support the eXchange system
hardware worldwide. ARINC will provide the satellite connectivity
for eXchange customers through its established SKYLink satellite
network. ViaSat, Inc., of Carlsbad, CA, the original manufacturer
of avionics for ARINC SKYLink, will continue to produce the
avionics for Rockwell Collins' eXchange.
"Through the conclusion of this purchase, Rockwell Collins will
be able to offer passengers true broadband connectivity at the
lowest service price available for high speed data," said Tommy
Dodson, vice president and general manager, Cabin Systems for
Rockwell Collins. "We look forward to providing customers around
the world with similar connectivity in the sky to what they
experience on the ground."
"Combining the significant OEM and
aftermarket distribution capabilities of Rockwell Collins, the
cutting edge satellite technology of ViaSat, and the highly
reliable SKYLink service and applications of ARINC will further
expand the customer base for eXchange with service by SKYLink,"
said Steve Means, Vice President, ARINC Aviation Solutions.
"There is not a better product and service available to business
aircraft owners or operators." SKYLink provides satellite coverage
for eXchange customers in North America, Europe and the North
Atlantic. Caribbean and partial South and Central American coverage
is planned in early 2008. Middle East and Asia Pacific coverage is
under consideration.
eXchange with service by SKYLink is a two-way, high speed
satellite communications system for business jets offering true
broadband speeds as high as 3.5Mbps to the aircraft. eXchange
customers have access to e-mail, corporate intranet (VPN), the Web,
flat-rate Voice over IP (VoIP) global telephone service, and
videoconferencing. eXchange also provides e-mail, and data
capability for personal Wi-Fi enabled smartphones in the cabin.