Newport News, VA, AUGUST 26, 2010 — International Communications Group (ICG) has announced the promotion of three individuals in its Customer Service and Product Support organization. Darren Emery has been promoted to Director, Customer Service and Product Support. Josh Grippo has been elevated to Technical Support Manager and Quenton Ingram has been named Senior Technical Support Engineer. The changes are effective immediately.
“ICG’s position in the industry continues to grow along with our product line, services and applications”, noted Armin Jabs, ICG’s Chief Operating Officer. “With the continuing growth of our business and the expanding requirements for our products to interface with a number of aircraft systems and avionics, the need for skilled, knowledgeable and extremely well-versed personnel is critical. We are extremely fortunate to have people like Darren, Josh and Quenton who understand our technology and our markets extremely well. They have demonstrated the responsiveness and commitment to our customers that is imperative in this segment of the industry and have made the ICG Customer Service department an enviable model for the industry. These
promotions are well-deserved.”
Darren Emery, who heads ICG’s Customer Service & Support function, most recently served as Manager, Customer Service & Support. He is a native of Southampton, England. He joined ICG in 2003. Like ICG, he got his start in the Cruise line business. Prior to that he spent a decade in a variety of electro-technical positions on board several leading cruise lines, including serving as a radio officer and an electrician. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Marine Electronics and Electrical Engineering, graduating with distinction in 1993 from Southampton Institute of Higher Technology. Professional qualifications include the UK Department of Transport Marine Radio and Electronic Navigation Equipment Maintenance Certificates.
Josh Grippo was named a Technical Support Supervisor at ICG in January of 2007. A native of Emporium, Pennsylvania, he majored in Electrical Engineering Technology at ITT Tech and has worked in Robotics (for a company that developed money counters), PCB board level design, and as an IT specialist. He also has experience working on telephony devices, performing installations and has received
Flight Line Maintenance training from Rockwell Collins.
Quenton Ingram is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving for nine years as a Communications Watch Officer. In that role, he received extensive training and experience in RF Satellite coordination and troubleshooting and RF Circuit isolation and correction. His extensive knowledge of satellite communications includes UHF, SHF and EHF spectrums that incorporate the Inmarsat, Ku-Band and Milstar systems. A
native of Detroit, Michigan, he joined ICG in June of 2007 as a Technical Support Engineer.
Newport News, VA, January 30, 2010—International Communications Group (ICG) has named Jo Kremsreiter, a veteran avionics sales executive, to serve as Western Region Sales Director for the company’s line of General Aviation aeronautical communications systems and solutions.
“To take full advantage of his skill, knowledge and understanding of our technology and markets and to leverage his existing relationships in a very competitive environment, we’ve added Jo to our team and assigned him to handle the Midwest and Western half of the country,” said Scott Trainum, ICG’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re pleased to have him join ICG after more than 2 decades of working in the aircraft avionics arena in both technical and marketing roles.”
Kremsreiter most recently served as US Sales Manager for Iridium products for special use applications. He has also managed Green aircraft completion projects and refurbishments and served as an avionics department manager. His professional experience also includes avionics design and engineering. He will represent ICG in the Mid-West and Western States and be based in St. Louis, MO but will also work out of
Denver, Colorado sales office.
In his new post he will be responsible for identifying and managing relationships with all business aviation prospects, dealers, service centers and flight departments, other than those in OEM production or service, within his region. He can be contacted via phone at 1-757-947-1030 or via e-mail at jkremsreiter@icg.aero.
Newport News, VA (October 1, 2009)—International Communications Group (ICG) announced today that it has enhanced its NxtLink product series with an upgrade to now incorporate the Configuration Identity Module (CIM). The CIM is an external SIM card reader that provides installation of up to 2 SIM cards. Previously, the external SIM reader was only compatible with the NxtLink 120A and 220A Iridium transceivers, but now supports the NxtLink ICS-100 and ICS-200 product line, as well.
“The CIM will allow operators to maintain SIM card information ( MSISDN, & Telephone Number) on the aircraft regardless of the NxtLink transceiver installed,” said ICG Vice President of Engineering, Darrell Andregg. “By maintaining the Iridium SIM card information on the aircraft, this will allow quick line changes for system upgrades or troubleshooting. Because the external SIM card reader is not physically located inside the transceiver unit, operators can switch service providers without removing the transceiver. They will be able to do so by simply inserting new SIM cards in the CIM module.”
Previously, the aircraft telephone number was associated with the SIM internal to the NxtLink transceiver and not the airplane, making SIM or unit replacement inconvenient, requiring reassignment of SIMs and transferring of telephone numbers within the Iridium network. The CIM permantently links the telephone number directly to the to the aircraft tail number. The CIM also reduces aircraft down time by allowing the technician to switch out SIM cards or LRUs quickly and efficiently without a requirement to open the device and obviate the ensuing “return to service” process.
The NxtLink ICS-200 incorporates two channels of Iridium that can support voice, fax and ACARS all in one unit. Its dual Iridium transceivers with an internal CTU provide a standalone, comprehensive communications system that can operate over a single coax and Iridium antenna. It works with either standard 2-Wire “Tip and Ring” circuits or 4-Wire audio connections to provide intercom calling, call transfer, conferencing and follow on dialing. The ICS-200 is simple to operate, with standard dialing conventions, PABX operations and familiar call progress tones. It is the ideal solution for aircraft requiring no more than six telephone connections and seamless global communications services without the inconveniences of hand-offs or no service areas.
“This CIM unit reduces the complexity of maintaining aircraft and simplifies the process of changing service providers or replacing or upgrading hardware,” Andregg concluded.
About ICG (www.icg.aero)
International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG) of Newport News, Va. is a recognized leader within the aerospace industry, in the development and manufacture of aeronautical communications systems and solutions for the General Aviation and Air Transport industries. ICG’s products provide satellite-based global voice and data telecommunications services for both cabin requirements and flight deck operations. Implementation of ICG avionics provides a comprehensive communications solution that can be customized for any size airframe or application. Products include: CTU systems, corded and cordless handsets, single- and multi-channel Iridium systems and data management devices. Markets for ICG products are the aerospace, military and maritime industries. ICG, a major Iridium value-added manufacturer (VAM) and value-added reseller (VAR), has developed a wide range of Iridium-based solutions and products for mobile satellite communications applications. ICG is an approved FAA manufacturing facility and many products carry FAA Parts Manufacturing Authorization (PMA).
The International Communications Group, Newport News, VA has just announced the FAA has granted Parts Manufacturing Authority supported by a Gulfstream Aerospace for their latest connectivity device for bizjets – NxtMail Server. Working in conjunction with ICG Iridium hardware today, NextMail is designed for data applications on Challenger and Gulfstream planes (just to mention 2) and delivers a low cost solution for onboard email and web surfing (with limitations) via Smartphones, laptops, iPhones, PDA’s, and Wi-Fi equipped Blackberrys. The unit has the capability to dynamically assign and deliver information to up to 10 users and really fits in applications where the aircraft already have Iridium onboard – like business jets. As some commercial aircraft use Iridium for voice and data, there is obviously a future application there as well. At 2400 KBPS, the unit is ideally suited for Wi-Fi based email, but web surfing is possible, albeit at low speeds.
We liked this part of their news release too, “ICG’s NxtMail Server over Iridium can operate concurrently with other on-board data services such as Airshow updates and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), as well. WiFi capable mobile digital devices are automatically assigned an Internet Provider (IP) address by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to provide immediate access to the system without user intervention or set-up beyond what is traditionally required for any conventional Wi-Fi networks. The NxtMail Server provides global E-Mail service through either an inexpensive ICG ICS Iridium system or via any Inmarsat Broadband terminal.”
As suspected, the ICG Router/WAP could handle the data bandwidth requirements (with modifications) and work eventually with other service providers like Row44 and AirCell. However, there are many Iridium equipped bizjets and the unit can serve to route ACARS data thru the plane via the Iridium network as well as serving up wireless connections for low speed data (get the picture)? We should mention that the unit is seeing some commercial airline testing with Delta for ACARS and crew connectivity applications.
A little Q & A with ICG gave the following results:
Q: What about the name, NxtMail Server… isn’t it more of a router?
A: Actually, the server name is slightly misleading. The unit does not have any storage capability but is more than a simple router/WAP and hence the server nomenclature. The value add for the nxtMail is the ability to control the satellite link(s) and thus control costs.
Q: Did you say it does interface with Inmarsat… what speed if so… 425KBPs?
A: Yes the system is capable of operating with both Iridium and INMARSAT and has appropriate logic to switch medium types as necessary. Which medium to select first is configurable. Actual speed varies with INMARSAT terminal, link conditions, and service selected.
Q: What about Thurya at 9600 KBPS?
A: Not supported at this time. We are looking into Thurya’s IP network as it should work quite nicely with NxtMail Server.
Q: Should we assume 2400 KBPS for Iridium as data thruput?
A: Yes, but 2400 BPS this is the minimum throughput using Iridium, with data compression and the nature of email actual throughput may be more. The delay contributed to Iridium versus running in a terrestrial 3G network is negligible.
Check out the links on the data sheet for more info or contact Sandy Hickey, ICG Marketing Manager, at ICG HQ – shickey@icg.aero via email.
Newport News, Va. –(September 25, 2009) – International Communications Group (ICG) has received FAA Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) for its NxtMail Server. NxtMail permits users with WiFi capable BlackBerry® smartphones, iPhone™ mobile devices and selected Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to access E-mail and Mobile Web browsing services anywhere in the world by simply activating the WiFi feature of their devices.
The PMA is supported by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) granted to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Dallas, Texas for the installation of the system in a Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) aircraft. “Granting of this PMA adds to our long list of PMA products,” said Armin Jabs, ICG Chief Operations Officer. “It means that our business aviation customers can have the confidence that what they’re putting on their airplanes meet the industry’s highest standards for quality, reliability and performance.”
ICG’s NxtMail Over Iridium can operate concurrently with other on-board data services such as Airshow updates and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), as well. WiFi capable mobile digital devices are automatically assigned an Internet Provider (IP) address by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to provide immediate access to the system without user intervention or set-up beyond what is traditionally required for any conventional Wi-Fi networks. The NxtMail server provides global E-Mail service through either an inexpensive ICG ICS Iridium system or via any Inmarsat Broadband terminal.
About ICG (www.icg.aero)
International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG) of Newport News, Va. is a recognized leader within the aerospace industry, in the development and manufacture of aeronautical communications systems and solutions for the General Aviation and Air Transport industries. ICG’s products provide satellite-based global voice and data telecommunications services for both cabin requirements and flight deck operations. Implementation of ICG avionics provides a comprehensive communications solution that can be customized for any size airframe or application. Products include: CTU systems, corded and cordless handsets, single- and multi-channel Iridium systems and data management devices. Markets for ICG products are the aerospace, military and maritime industries. ICG, a major Iridium value-added manufacturer (VAM) and value-added reseller (VAR), has developed a wide range of Iridium-based solutions and products for mobile satellite communications applications. ICG is an approved FAA manufacturing facility and operates an FAA approved repair station.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Newport News, VA – (May 4, 2009) International Communications Group (ICG) has concluded an agreement to provide Rockwell Collins a version of the ICG NxtLink Iridium communications systems for Air Transport customers. Rockwell Collins is marketing the devices as the IRT 2110 (Dual Channel) and IRT 2120 (Tri Channel) Iridium systems. The units are currently available for delivery.
“We are extremely pleased to have entered into this agreement with Rockwell Collins,” noted Armin Jabs, ICG’s President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), who also oversees the company’s Private Label and New Market Development business activities. “This arrangement allows Rockwell Collins to provide a comprehensive Iridium based flight deck communications solution with features tailored to specific customer needs,” he added.
“We’ve worked closely with ICG to develop the specifications, requirements and configuration of these units,” said Steve Timm, Vice President and General Manager of Information Management at Rockwell Collins. “The IRT 2110 and IRT 2120 are designed to meet our air transport customers’ requirements, and manufactured to Rockwell Collins uncompromising standards. Adding an Iridium communications solution to our products portfolio further enhances our ability to offer airlines a comprehensive communications suite.”
The Iridium system presents an immediate and cost-effective near term solution to provide seamless voice and Datalink flight deck communications for virtually any size airframe including regional jets. Industry analysis has shown that the equipage costs can be recovered quickly through fuel savings as a result of increased efficiencies, and in some recent cases, the ability to communicate with Flight Ops has eliminated the need for expensive turn-backs or diversions.
“In addition to the Rockwell Collins HF radio, HF Datalink and Inmarsat Sat-coms, the IRT devices help us to round out the communications portfolio that Rockwell Collins can provide to customers, depending on their operational requirements,” Timm pointed out.
The IRT-2110 device incorporates a single Iridium transceiver (LBT) and a Short Burst Data (SBD) modem and provides connections to customary and standard flight deck voice and data systems. The IRT 2120 is a three-transceiver device, which combines dual LBTs providing two channels of global voice with an SBD modem dedicated to DataLink services. Both systems support Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) as well as Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) requirements.
Both devices also operate with the external CIM (Configuration Identification Module) which contains the Iridium SIM cards as well as the system configuration information. Keeping the SIMS and configuration storage with the aircraft at all times, make the IRT 2110 and IRT 2120 devices true line replaceable units (LRUs) and removes the requirement to update various databases and number of reassignments in the event of an LRU change-out.
Rockwell Collins customers interested in learning more about the IRT 2110 and IRT 2120 can call 319.295.4085 or csmarketing@rockwellcollins.com.
About ICG (www.icg.aero)
International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG) of Newport News, Va. is a recognized leader within the aerospace industry, in the development and manufacture of aeronautical communications systems and solutions for the General Aviation and Air Transport industries. ICG’s products provide satellite-based global voice and data telecommunications services for both cabin requirements and flight deck operations. Implementation of ICG avionics provides a comprehensive communications solution that can be customized for any size airframe or application. Products include: CTU systems, corded and cordless handsets, single- and multi-channel Iridium systems and data management devices. Markets for ICG products are the aerospace, military and maritime industries. ICG, a major Iridium value-added manufacturer (VAM) and value-added reseller (VAR), has developed a wide range of Iridium-based solutions and products for mobile satellite communications applications. ICG is an approved FAA manufacturing facility and operates an FAA approved repair station.
About Rockwell Collins (www.rockwellcollins.com)
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by nearly 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries.
Soon, not having broadband connectivity on a commercial flight will be as atypical — and frustrating — as not having it in a coffee shop or even in your office.”
