Rockwell Collins’ Broadband for Bizjets

Rockwell Collins, along with ARINC, introduced its eXchange broadband connectivity offering for business jets, which Rockwell Collins said will allow passengers to be better connected than ever. Under the terms of the agreement, Rockwell Collins will supply airborne broadband hardware and after sales support, while ARINC will suppy its SKYLink broadband network service. ARINC will continue to provide SKYLink system sales and support until the transition to Rockwell Collins eXchange hardware is completed. "This agreement will significantly enhance the SKYLink service offering on a global basis," stated Stephen Means, ARINC vice president, Aviation Solutions. "Rockwell Collins adds additional OEM distribution channels for the eXchange airborne broadband connectivity hardware, along with the world class after-sales support that our customer base expects." eXchange is a real time, two-way connectivity system providing true broadband speeds of up to 3.5 Mbps to the aircraft. Coupled with the SKYLink satellite service, eXchange customers will have access to the Internet and corporate intranet, email, Voice over IP telephone service, videoconferencing capability and more. Coverage for eXchange using the SKYLink service is currently available in North America and Europe, with North Atlantic coverage to be added soon. Further international coverage expansion is planned for the Caribbean and portions of South and Central America.