Bonn/Hamburg, 31 March 2009 – T-Mobile presents its inflight communication solution at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Together with its partners, VT Miltope and ViaSat, T-Mobile shows the latest inflight broadband and GSM telephony solution for all major passenger aircraft.

With this solution, connectivity for the traveller can be expanded: With connectivity on the road, on the train or at the airport and now also in the sky the traveller enjoys seamless mobility. Through WiFi Hotspot in aircraft, passengers will have the possibility of broadband access via their own laptop or smartphone during their flight. Complemented by a GSM telephony solution, passengers can use their mobile phones to receive and send both text messages and emails, or do voice calls in exactly the same way as on the ground. Business travellers can stay in touch with their business partners, leisure travellers will be able to receive information on their travel destination and families stay connected with their loved ones. The inflight broadband solution presented in Hamburg with on-board portals can provide airlines with a competitive advantage and allow them to excel in customer services. Through the WiFi portal, passengers will be able to check real-time information quickly for connection flights, browse for onboard shopping products, or utilize loyalty programme incentives.

The combined effort of T-Mobile and its partners result in a unique offering for all airlines: An integrated, future proof connectivity solution that caters to all passenger connectivity and communication needs under one brand. T-Mobile contributes the expertise of a mass market mobile operator and the knowledge of how to design user friendly communication services. This will help ensure that the needs of the end-customer will be satisfied. T-Mobile’s sophisticated billing system will allow airlines to implement various payment methods. Interface with the airlines’ loyalty programs will also be possible. With these capabilities T-Mobile is able to accommodate the increasing demand by airlines for a worry-free end-to-end in-flight connectivity solution.

T-Mobile’s initiative is driven by a clear vision of tomorrow’s inflight entertainment situation. Passengers are expecting universal connectivity for all their phones and devices, bandwidth like at home and an intuitive user experience. Instead of offline in-seat devices, customers want to use the services and information they are used to for making flights as entertaining and efficient as possible.

ViaSat and Satcom Direct team-up to provide ViaSat YonderSM Mobile Broadband Service to business aviation customers, offering high-speed connectivity during flight

Carlsbad, CA – ViaSat Inc. has appointed Satcom Direct as a value-added reseller and customer support liaison for its new YonderSM Mobile Broadband Service, offering data and voice communication services for corporate, business, and military aircraft. Yonder Mobile Broadband Service offers passengers the ability to conduct normal business operations easily while in flight with office IP network applications and services, and also delivers entertainment options normally limited to home theater.

The ViaSat airborne broadband communication network enables a quality experience for aircraft passengers during flight, which will be enhanced when combined with high-end customer support provided by Satcom Direct.

“The user experience of a service such as Yonder is only as good as the quality of customer service that goes along with it,” said Don Buchman, ViaSat director of Mobile Broadband. “The reliability and extensive service experience that Satcom Direct can offer to Yonder customers adds a lot of value to our service.”

The Yonder Mobile Broadband Service uses patented ViaSat ArcLight® mobile satellite technology, which enables use of a 12-inch, lightweight antenna, offering aircraft data download speeds of up to 10 Mbps and uploads of up to 512 kbps. Passengers can send and receive broadband data, connect to a virtual private network, and access video programming using portable devices or onboard TVs.

“Satcom Direct is the industry leader in delivering unparalleled technology and customer support to the business and military aviation industries,” said James Jensen, CEO of Satcom Direct. “ViaSat Yonder service allows us to expand our satellite-based service offering to our customers with the integrity and recognition of the ViaSat name. Our focus at Satcom Direct of delivering quality, leading-edge products and services ensures our customers can rely on just one company for all of their aircraft flight deck and cabin communication services.”

ViaSat enables service over North America, the North Pacific, the Caribbean, the North Atlantic, Europe, and the Persian Gulf. The network is continuing to expand through the cooperation of ViaSat and maritime broadband service-provider KVH Industries, with the goal of providing worldwide coverage by early 2010.

About Satcom Direct
Founded in 1997, Satcom Direct is the leading innovator of satellite voice, fax, and broadband data service solutions for business and general aviation, military, government, emergency response, media, and other industries that demand reliable global communications. Its primary product, Global One Number®, is an advanced connection service for aeronautical, maritime, and land mobile applications that makes satellite communications as reliable and simple to use as ground-based telephones. For more information regarding Satcom Direct, visit www.satcomdirect.com , e-mail sales@satcomdirect.com, or call +1.321.777.3000.