Row 44, the leading provider of
broadband satellite for the aviation industry, announces an exclusive agreement
with Hughes Network Systems (HNS), the world's leading satellite company, to
bring broadband connectivity to North American commercial and business
aircraft.
Testing of the service is scheduled for late 2005. According to Forrester
Research Group, more than 700 million passenger boardings are expected for
2005, making Internet service in the air a multi-billion dollar market.
"HNS is proud to have been chosen by Row 44 and we are excited about bringing
DIRECWAY broadband services to the aviation community," said Paul Gaske,
(Executive Vice President), North America Division of Hughes Network Systems.
"DIRECWAY has proven its value in a variety of vertical market segments and
will bring the same level of high quality service and value-added capabilities
to customers when flying on commercial and corporate aircraft in North
America."
The Federal Communications Commission has most recently stated that Internet
Access aboard aircraft is a priority for them, citing the need to be connected
in the air. Row 44 will offer the most seamless and integrated service
available and provide the highest speed connectivity in the market -- up to 30
Mbps -- cost effectively, to commercial and business aircraft. Gregg
Fialcowitz, Row 44's President, noted that "leveraging the successful DIRECWAY
broadband satellite service means Row 44 can deliver a uniform, high- quality
service without having to develop a unique, expensive service offering."
Row 44 is in discussions with a number of major airlines and owners of business
jet fleets.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV
Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network
solutions for businesses and consumers. HNS pioneered the development of
high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under
the DIRECWAY(R) brand.
About Row 44
Row 44 will be the leading provider of broadband satellite for the aviation
industry, offering high-speed Internet access for airplanes around the world.
Through an exclusive relationship with Hughes Network Systems (HNS), Row 44 is
the only company positioned to deliver seamless uninterrupted broadband
services using the world's largest fleet of commercial satellites to airlines
and private aviation via satellite. For more information, please visit
http://www.row44.com/.
DATASOURCE: Row 44
CONTACT: Seth Jacobson, +1-310-317-1966, or Rob Wynne, +1-310-924-1710,
both of JCI for Row 44
Web site: http://www.row44.com/