OnAir Selects Monaco Telecom as Ground Infrastructure Partner

OnAir has selected Monaco Telecom to be its ground infrastructure partner.  Monaco Telecom will supply and operate key ground components of the OnAir network, and will assist OnAir in establishing roaming agreements with mobile operators and GSM (global system for mobile) service providers in Europe and other markets.

OnAir intends to launch GSM and GPRS (general packet radio service) mobile services on selected European flights in 2007, allowing passengers to make and receive phone calls and exchange text messages and emails using their own mobile phones and PEDs (personal electronic devices) like BlackBerrys and smartphones.  Air France, bmi and TAP Portugal have signed up to commercial trials of the OnAir service.

In addition to a dedicated ground network and roaming services, Monaco Telecom will support and host OnAir's GSM access network and will manage its international gateway access.  And when the OnAir network goes live, Monaco Telecom will handle OnAir's related financial and data clearing activities.

Key network infrastructure will be provided by Siemens through its own contract with Monaco Telecom.  Siemens is already supplying Airbus with the picocell and onboard channel selector for the OnAir system.  06-26-2006.

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