Company Press Release
SOURCE: In-Flight Network LLC
In-Flight Network (IFN), Globalstar and
QUALCOMM Successfully Test Broadband
Internet and E-Mail System for Existing Aircraft
Fleets Worldwide
Prototype Flies Over Parts of North America Prior to Launch Events
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, and SAN DIEGO, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In-Flight Network LLC, a joint venture
of News Corporation and Rockwell Collins, today announced a long-term strategic development with Globalstar
(Nasdaq: GSTRF - news) and a development agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM - news)
which will enable In Flight Network (IFN) to provide low-cost broadband Internet and e-mail services to existing
commercial airline fleets by early next year. Two weeks ago, a prototype of the IFN system was flown and successfully
operated over parts of North America, proving the functionality of the system.
Under the agreements, IFN, Globalstar and QUALCOMM will participate jointly in the development of a system that
will provide broadband Internet access as well as e-mail, paging and voice-over-IP applications directly to passengers
aboard aircraft in flight. Broadband Internet data and entertainment will be transmitted directly to aircraft via
geostationary satellites, with the return link carried over the worldwide Globalstar satellite network. In addition, the
Globalstar satellite network will serve as an independent two-way channel for Internet access, e-mail, downloading of
data and other applications.
With QUALCOMM-developed enhancements to its Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, the
Globalstar data link will initially operate at speeds in excess of 200 kbps. When user demand increases and ground
terminal capacity can absorb the greater data load, this data rate can be increased to over 800 kbps -- faster than most
DSL or cable modems.
``IFN's service will enable affiliate airlines to deploy high-speed, full Internet access and e-mail services quickly. The
new service will eliminate the need to wait for the build-out of new satellite networks or to invest in expensive new
antennae. IFN looks forward to working with leading web sites and portals in extending Internet access to the frequent
flyer community,'' said Jeffrey M. Wales, CEO of In Flight Network LLC and senior vice president, News Corporation.
IFN, Globalstar and Loral Space & Communications also intend to evaluate the use of additional Globalstar and Loral
satellite-based products and services for incorporation into IFN prior to full-scale deployment in late 2001.
IFN plans to offer lab demonstrations of the new Internet and e-mail service to aviation and airline industry
representatives beginning in mid-July. IFN will conduct comprehensive in-flight demonstrations of the new service for
press, government and airline officials, and technology and entertainment industry leaders at a Southern California airport
location in the fall. Interested parties are asked to contact events@inflightnetwork.com to arrange for an invitation to the
demonstrations and related events.
Tony Navarra, president of Globalstar, said, ``This relationship with IFN is yet another example of the tremendous
versatility of the Globalstar system and the range of applications possible with this service. CDMA technology makes this
high bandwidth system practical, and Globalstar, as the only worldwide CDMA network in operation, is uniquely
positioned to make this service available.''
Jerry Beckwith, president of QUALCOMM Wireless Systems, said, ``We have always believed that one of Globalstar's
greatest strengths was its use of QUALCOMM's CDMA technology to handle data. Being able to take advantage of
higher data rates will result in enormous benefits for industrial, corporate, and personal users -- not only in the aviation
market, but for remote ground applications as well. In providing high-speed Internet access, the passenger's experience
will be similar to that of using a cable modem.''
In-Flight Network LLC is a joint venture entity formed by News Corporation (NYSE: NWS - news, NWS.A - news),
one of the world's leading media companies, and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: ROK - news), a world leader in aviation
electronics. It was formed as the world's first global in-flight entertainment network to offer live coverage of news, sports
and entertainment events, in addition to recorded audio/video programming and broadband Internet access and e-mail
services.
IFN's global, satellite-based, broadband digital communications network will also support multiple video channels, with
programming automatically tailored to the length of flight and specific destinations. IFN affiliate airlines will be able to
provide their passengers with differentiated, airline-specific, co-branded programming options of business and
entertainment channels in multiple languages. IFN's advertiser-supported business model enables global and national
advertisers, as well as local and regional advertisers, to deliver full-motion broadcast video spots to aircraft in flight
throughout the world. Web-based video spots and banner ads will also be delivered to PC users on targeted aircraft and
airport premises.
Globalstar provides affordable satellite-based digital voice and data services to a broad range of subscribers and users.
Globalstar meets the needs of mobile telephone users who live, work or travel in areas not covered by cellular systems,
as well as residents of under-served markets who will use Globalstar's fixed-site phones to satisfy their needs for basic
telephony. Led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR - news), Globalstar is a partnership
of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including co-founder
QUALCOMM Incorporated, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (a
Finmeccanica Company), Hyundai, TE.SA.M (a France Telecom/Alcatel company), Space Systems/Loral, and
Vodafone AirTouch. For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless
communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's business
areas include integrated CDMA chipsets and system software; technology licensing; Eudora© email software for
Windows© and Macintosh© computing platforms; satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar(TM)
system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS© and OmniExpress(TM). QUALCOMM owns patents
which are essential to all of the CDMA wireless communications standards that have been adopted or proposed for
adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. QUALCOMM has licensed its essential CDMA patent portfolio to
more than 75 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif.,
QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2000 Fortune 500© company traded on the Nasdaq Stock
Market© under the ticker symbol QCOM.
QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS and Eudora are registered trademarks and OmniExpress is a trademark of
QUALCOMM Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services, Incorporated.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts: Jeff Rose, jrose@bwr-la.com, or Jennifer Mellios, both of B|W|R PR, 310-550-7776, for In Flight Network;
or Mac Jeffery of Globalstar, 212-338-5383, mac.jeffery@hq.loral.com; or Christine Trimble, Corporate Public
Relations, 858-651-3628, fax, 858-651-2590, ctrimble@qualcomm.com, or Julie Cunningham, Investor Relations,
858-658-4224, fax, 858-651-9303, juliec@qualcomm.com, both of QUALCOMM.
SOURCE: In-Flight Network LLC |
