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.

FMI: www.aircell.com