New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink

1. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink Presentation at the WAEA Technology Committee Meeting February 16, 2000 By Elizabeth L. Young Director, Passenger Communications Services

2. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Today, circuit and packet mode data available via the Inmarsat system at 9.6 and 10.5 kbps, respectively • Soon, Inmarsat will introduce aeronautical service data rates up to 64 kbps for circuit and packet modes • 64 kbps service will offer “M4” or circuit mode and IPDS standards; “M4” will support file transfer; IPDS will support file transfer and interactive applications • Inmarsat is already offering 64 kbps for land-based and maritime terminals • Higher data rates will accommodate e-mail, Internet access better than lower data rates can now

3. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • New avionics (or modifications to existing avionics) will be required: timeframe is not determined but likely in 2001 • Anticipated manufacturers include EMS, Honeywell, Rockwell-Collins • SITA’s satellite ground earth stations will be upgraded with NERA software to support 64 kbps services; other Inmarsat service providers may also support 64 kbps • No pricing available yet, but a target might be in the range of $2US for about 2 Megabytes of text • SITA, today, is working with Tenzing to introduce their FlightConnect ™ service over the existing Inmarsat system

4. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • SITA is also working on other data-based applications that will be enhanced by higher data rates • One new serviceallows for real-time credit card checking • Service being developed by InflightATI with SITA; tests already successful in Q4, 1999, with commercial introduction likely by the end of 2000 • Will require financial server on the ground; credit card readers on board aircraft • Other IFE applications can be readily envisioned, such as ordering of specific programs, merchandise, supporting interactive (for pay) services to passengers

5. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Inmarsat, today, is the “only game in town” to support global data and voice services to aircraft • In the future, some announced “broadband” satellite systems, like Skybridge and Spaceway, may be available to support non-safety services for aircraft, including Internet access • It is unlikely that the “LEO/MEO” satellite systems will have the necessary bandwidth to support text-rich services such as e-mail, although recent announcements suggest ICO may be reconfigured to offer up to 144 kpbs for aircraft (non-safety) communications services

6. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Inmarsat will also introduce its fourth generation satellites in about 5 years, but they are planned to be optimized to serve land-based users so total oceanic coverage may not be available • SITA is the leading provider of Inmarsat aeronautical services today and will support future Inmarsat aeronautical offerings, but SITA is also prepared to work with any and all other satellite systems that can possibly serve aircraft for both safety-of-flight, operations, and passenger/cabin services, including e-mail, Internet access, broadcasting, and other requirements

7. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Gatelink is a technology based on the use of wireless LANs and is designed to support IP applications • Some 70 airports have wireless LANs today • Gatelink allows for transfer of large data files, on the order of several Megabytes, rapidly to aircraft while they are parked at gates • SITA is participating in tests of Gatelink at several international airports; initial results have been very positive • Introduction of Gatelink depends on the available of suitable avionics, perhaps by 2001

8. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Introduction of Gatelink is being driven by diverse requirements, including in support of airline operations • Applications for the passenger cabin can include transfer of IFE programming, thus doing away with shipments of tapes and discs; providing Web pages that could then be cached on board; providing destination information for passengers; providing cabin crew with passenger profiles and other information to assist passengers in flight • SITA is working with several partners, including airlines, to make Gatelink services a reality

9. New Technology: SITA’s View of High-Speed Data, Gatelink • Some of the issues we have addressed on this panel do need further investigation: • Will people prefer to use their own laptops in flight? • Are there ground interface issues with regard to providing e-mail, Internet services? • Will existing and planned data rates be enough to support all the anticipated airborne services? • Can DBS-type satellites be used in conjunction with lower data rate “pipes”, e.g., Inmarsat, to provide an asymmetrical, interactive system if we assume more data needs to be delivered to the aircraft than from the aircraft?