LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today at the National Business Aviation Association's 57th Annual Meeting & Convention, that it will start delivery of the new four-channel HSD-400 in early 2005. The HSD-400 will initially support four channels of Swift64, and will be SwiftBroadband-ready for when Inmarsat launches the new service in early 2006. The HSD-400 builds on the industry-leading HSD-128 to provide additional channel capability in the same form factor. This new terminal will support multiple SwiftBroadband channels, with each channel providing data rates of up to 432 kb/s.
The HSD-400 will be SwiftBroadband-ready, with only a software upgrade required when the service becomes available. The software upgrade can be performed in the field, eliminating the need for the aircraft to be taken out of service. EMS will also provide a service bulletin for existing HSD-128 customers to allow them to take advantage of the new hardware platform and operate four channels of Swift64.
This significant development in broadband communications will allow EMS to fully respond to a strong demand by aircraft operators for increased bandwidth. Industry trends show a growing need for data-intensive applications such as Internet telephony, VPN connections to corporate data networks, and high-quality video conferencing.
Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband will be a complete satellite communications solution for the global aircraft operator. Services will include data rates up to 432 kb/s, guaranteed throughputs at various speeds, and circuit-switched services including multiple voice and 64 kb/s ISDN channels.
"EMS SATCOM has made a strong commitment to its customers to maintain our world leadership in the field of aeronautical satellite communications," said Dr. Neil Mackay, senior vice president and general manager, EMS Technologies' SATCOM Division. "Our customers appreciate advantages offered by our technology, and we will continue to focus our efforts on providing them with leading-edge capabilities."
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions to wireless and satellite markets. The Company focuses on mobile information users, and increasingly on broadband applications. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,600 people worldwide, and has manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.
The SATCOM Division of EMS Technologies, based in Ottawa, Canada, is part of EMS Technologies Canada, Ltd. The Division specializes in the design and development of satellite-based terminals and antennas for the aeronautical, land-mobile and maritime markets. The Emergency Management Products Group provides products and services to search and rescue agencies around the world. For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
Note to Editors: Visit EMS SATCOM at NBAA 2004 in Booth 5229 or at the online pressroom at www.emssatcom.com/nbaa2004
For more information, contact: Halina Sejdak-Rydel, Public Relations EMS Technologies SATCOM Division 613.727.6277 ext. 1290 rydel.h@emssatcom.com