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.

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com, www.viasat.com, www.arinc.com