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Rockwell Collins eXchange™ broadband system for business jets now available


WEBWIRE

* Email connectivity for RIM’s Blackberry 8320/8820 included

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa . - Rockwell Collins announced today that it has completed the purchase of the SKYLink™ broadband terminal product line from ARINC.

Rockwell Collins will sell and support the product line to large business jets under the eXchange™ brand, and ARINC will continue to provide the SKYLink Ku-band satellite service. ViaSat Inc. developed the SKYLink broadband terminal based on its ArcLight© spread spectrum technology and will continue to manufacture the broadband terminal hardware and provide gateway and network operations services to ARINC.

"Through the conclusion of this purchase, Rockwell Collins will be able to offer passengers true broadband connectivity at the lowest service price available for high speed data" said Tommy Dodson, vice president and general manager, Cabin Systems for Rockwell Collins. "We look forward to providing customers around the world with similar connectivity in the sky to what they experience on the ground"

"Combining the significant OEM and aftermarket distribution capabilities of Rockwell Collins, the cutting-edge satellite technology of ViaSat and the highly reliable SKYLink service and applications of ARINC will further expand the customer base for eXchange with service by SKYLink" stated Steve Means, vice president, ARINC Aviation Solutions. "There is not a better product and service available to business aircraft owners or operators"

"Rockwell Collins’ distribution of our broadband terminal products under the eXchange brand, along with ARINC’s continued provision of the SKYLink service, is good news for owners and operators of business aircraft who want a true broadband experience" said Bill Sullivan, director of strategy for the ViaSat Broadband Systems group. "It also emphasizes the momentum created by the success of Ku-band broadband satellite communications in the business aircraft market"

eXchange, coupled with the SKYLink service, is a real time, two-way connectivity system providing true broadband speeds of up to 3.5Mbps to the aircraft. It will enable customers to access email, corporate intranets (VPN) and the Internet, with options for global Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone service and videoconferencing. In addition, eXchange supports data connectivity for select Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, such as a RIM’s Blackberry models 8320 and 8820, allowing users to access email and other data services. eXchange is ideal for installation on larger business jets such as Gulfstream’s G550, Dassault’s F7X and Bombardier’s Global Express.

Coverage for eXchange using the SKYLink service is available in North America, Europe and the North Atlantic, with Caribbean and partial South and Central American coverage to be added in the first quarter of 2008.

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 and information management, and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional offices in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information go to www.arinc.com.

ViaSat is a leader in satellite networking solutions. The company produces innovative satellite and digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. Founded in 1986, ViaSat has over 1,400 employees and is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol VSAT. For more information, visit ViaSat website at www.viasat.com.



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