This unique team assembles key industry players to advance airborne connectivity services to the next evolutionary stage and deliver them to the world's commercial airlines. Airbus' efficient aircraft with Airbus in-Flight Information System (AFIS) platform, Rockwell Collins' aviation electronics systems expertise and Tenzing's inflight messaging communications capabilities offer innovative solutions for airlines and their passengers.

Among other advantages, this approach offers airlines an immediate and affordable solution using existing infrastructure and equipment, true global coverage and an upgrade path to broadband service offerings.

The group envisions a phased approach to offering definitive connectivity services. Inflight connectivity continues to be the principal application for airline passengers. Tenzing provides proprietary software that runs on a computer server aboard the aircraft offering inflight access to email and messaging services.

Tenzing enables passengers to send and receive emails inflight using either a laptop or an inseat video screen. In addition, passengers will be able to send and receive short text messages (SMS) from their aircraft seat to and from cell phones on the ground.

Tenzing is the only company to have successfully deployed inflight email using existing technologies and current onboard networks. Tenzing customer-airlines include Cathay Pacific, which has been providing email from laptops since 3Q 2001.

A full passenger service launch of over 40 Cathay Pacific aircraft is planned by the end of this year with the full fleet of 69 aircraft scheduled to be complete by the end of 2003.

Phase two of the development is supported through the addition of high-speed data communication links using Inmarsat's Swift64 system. Rockwell Collins is providing the infrastructure to establish these high-speed data communication links on and off the aircraft through the addition of a high-speed transceiver to an aircraft's existing Aero H/H+ SATCOM system.

The addition of this capability, along with the installation of the Airbus AFIS architecture, enables expanded passenger service offerings and the provision by Airbus of sophisticated airline operational applications for cockpit, cabin and maintenance.

Tenzing's service increases the value of Swift64 with the ability to minimize network charges, the administration of a variety of services to the cockpit, cabin crew and passengers while optimizing the passenger experience.

Tenzing account management, email proxy, data compression, web acceleration and filtering techniques provides the best use of the available radio services. Passengers benefit from simpler product interface with faster product response while substantially lowering costs for services for the airlines.

"Rockwell Collins has a long history of providing the airborne equipment necessary to transmit and receive data," said Steve Piller, vice president and general manager, Rockwell Collins Air Transport Systems. "We have applied that expertise to develop a portfolio of products that enable onboard data management and global network access for commercial aircraft."

In July 2000, Rockwell Collins signed a memorandum of agreement with Airbus to provide the Aircraft Integrated Network System (AINS) for the A340-600. This agreement was later expanded to include the provision of hardware to support the entire Airbus inFlight Information System (AFIS) for the A340 and A320-family aircraft platforms, including airline operational and passenger applications.

The AINS (Aircraft Information Network Server) is scheduled to become basic equipment on all Airbus A340 & A320 family-aircraft platforms in 2003 and early 2004 enabling phase two, which will include expanded passenger service offerings and the provision of sophisticated airline operational applications for cockpit, cabin and maintenance by Airbus.

Rockwell Collins' system solution also includes a Server Interface Unit, a Cabin Network Server Unit and Terminal Wireless LAN Unit providing a wireless gate link connection at equipped airports, to facilitate transfer of data to airline ground operations.

Airbus, Rockwell Collins and Tenzing are developing plans for a third phase to add broadband satellite connectivity to deliver live entertainment and television content -- including sports, news, business information and weather -- to aircraft flying all of the world's primary air routes. Discussions with AirTV have been initiated, on the merits of their Live TV solution coupled with the S-band datalink from the ground to the aircraft.

As part of its commitment, Rockwell Collins intends to make an investment in Tenzing. Following Airbus' major investment in Tenzing Communications last year, the new investment from Rockwell Collins represents the group's intention to be the premier providers of next-generation connectivity services.

"Tenzing Communications has led the industry with a proven and deployed inflight email using existing communications technologies and current onboard networks," said Edward Nicol, chief executive officer of Tenzing Communications. "With this team, we intend to continue to be the leading providers offering our airline customers the advantages of next-generation connectivity."

"This team will deliver the latest in airborne multimedia technology to airline customers worldwide at an affordable price and will propose an evolutionary path towards ultimate broadband connectivity consistent with the satellite infrastructure. We are pleased to welcome the participation of Rockwell Collins and look forward to taking passenger service to new heights together," said Airbus SVP Product & Services Policy Olivier Andries.

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