Aircell Partners with Aricent to Enable Inflight Internet for Domestic Airline Passengers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aricent, the communications software company, today announced its alliance with Aircell^® on the development of key software and processing components for the company’s inflight Broadband Systems. Aircell, based in Itasca, IL, is a premier wireless data and voice communications provider in business aviation and now commercial aviation. The company’s new Broadband System will provide inflight Internet access to commercial airline passengers in 2008.

Aricent developed software components and functionality for Aircell’s on-board central control processor. This system provides data communication between inflight Wi-Fi users and the cellular air-to-ground communications module used to deliver Aircell’s inflight service, Gogo™ (www.gogoinflight.com) to passengers. In addition, Aricent has:

• Provided professional technical consulting and testing services
• Developed software to authenticate user interactions
• Integrated the networking software components and subsystems to provide a seamless service
• Worked with Aircell’s software and hardware providers to assure interoperability and speed in its national network deployment

“Aircell chose Aricent for its extensive expertise in building complex communications infrastructures, and its ability to help quickly bring our service to market in the U.S.,” said Anand Chari, vice president of engineering, Aircell. “Aricent has helped us to achieve our goal of providing scalable Wi-Fi communications to commercial airlines and business aircraft. With Aricent, Aircell will enable travellers to stay connected to what matters most while flying over the United States.”

Using the Aircell Broadband System, all travelers will be able to connect to the Internet in a fully integrated wireless cabin over a mobile broadband air-to-ground link. The result for commercial airline passengers is a broadband in flight experience that includes Internet, VPN access, email, multimedia capabilities, and extends to video on demand, games and additional entertainment choices. The Aircell network will initially cover the continental U.S. and will be expanded to the rest of North America, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

“Connecting passengers to the Internet while flying at 500 miles per hour and 35,000 feet is extremely challenging, but taming complexity is what Aricent does best. We are proud to use our communications software expertise to speed the delivery of Aircell’s unique air-to-ground cellular network,” said Arputham Ganesan, head of data communications, Aricent. “Aircell’s innovation in the aviation industry shows that the possibilities are endless for mobile broadband deployments, and Aricent has the experience to make it happen.”

About Aricent

With corporate offices in Palo Alto, California, Aricent is a full-service, full-spectrum communications software company. Aricent offers software services and products that enable the world’s leading communications equipment manufacturers, device manufacturers and service providers to improve time-to-revenue and maximize efficiency. Owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), Sequoia Capital and Flextronics International Ltd., Aricent has more than 400 clients worldwide. For more information, visit www.aricent.com.

About Aircell

Aircell LLC is the world’s leading provider of airborne communications. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary new mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell Network and its inflight portal, known as Gogo, will revolutionize the commercial airline passenger flight experience, delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. The Aircell Network will also provide airlines with connectivity to operations and a path to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television, cellular voice, cellular data and more. Business aircraft operators will soon be offered a similar feature set. Aircell has facilities in Louisville, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell’s vision is to give everyone the ability to stay in touch, in flight™. For more information about Aircell, please visit www.aircell.com.

About Gogo

Gogo Inflight Internet turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling passengers to surf the Web, check any e-mail, log on to their corporate VPN and more. Plus, each paid Internet session includes access to The Wall Street Journal^® Online. Gogo, powered by Aircell, will be available on American Airlines^® and Virgin America^® in 2008. For more information about Gogo, please visit www.gogoinflight.com.

Aricent is a registered trademark of Aricent, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. Aircell, Gogo and in touch in flight are registered trademarks of Aircell LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.