OTTAWA, June 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS SATCOM, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG), reported today that Satcom Direct has integrated the company's CNX(tm) (Cabin Network Accelerator) acceleration and compression (A&C) capability directly into its communications network.
The new service, called Aero X(tm), is available today and gives users a faster data rate, thereby reducing in-flight communications costs. "We are enthusiastic about adding the compression and acceleration feature to our communications network," said Jim Jensen, president and CEO of Satcom Direct. "With the addition of this capability, our customers will see faster, secure in-flight communications for the same price. With EMS SATCOM we are making the communications experience in the air much closer to what you'd have on the ground."
The A&C capability is integrated into the Satcom Direct infrastructure at the base-station level, eliminating the requirement for dedicated ISDN lines at the customer site. Customer IT departments will have less configuration and maintenance, reducing implementation costs. Users who have EMS SATCOM's eNfusion CNX accelerator as part of their aircraft communications system will benefit from up to four-times faster data rates than they'd normally experience without it, but at the same price as they currently pay through Satcom Direct. The result is a reduction in communications costs. The CNX accelerator is a fully-certified cabin network component that replaces a variety of off-the-shelf networking equipment, including: Ethernet, router, hub, multiplexors and 802.11g wireless-access points.
"This is the start of an interesting trend," noted Dr. Neil Mackay, senior vice president and general manager of EMS SATCOM. "Since the launch of our CNX accelerator, we have felt that its acceleration and compression capabilities are highly valuable in aircraft communications systems. Our customers recognize this and have installed the CNX time and time again. Satcom Direct's integration of our technology into its communications network is an indicator of things to come."
"The need to have the same bandwidth in the air as in the office is driving the increase in data rates in a variety of applications," said Steve Newell, director of Government Sales at EMS SATCOM. "Our work with Satcom Direct is an important milestone in the evolution of enhanced communications for business aircraft passengers around the world."
About Satcom Direct
Founded in 1997, Satcom Direct is the leading innovator of satellite voice, fax and broadband service solutions. Its primary product, Global One Number, is an advanced Satcom connection service that supports aeronautical, maritime and land mobile communications, making Satcom as reliable and simple to use as ground-based PBX telephones. For more information visit the company's website at www.satcomdirect.com.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions, and focuses its unique range of advanced technologies on the needs of broadband and mobile information users. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, has approximately 1,800 workers worldwide, and operates manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.
The SATCOM division of EMS Technologies, based in Ottawa, Canada, specializes in the design and development of satellite-based terminals and antennas for the aeronautical, land mobile, maritime and emergency management markets. The division is a leader in developing and supplying high-speed data communications equipment for delivering e-mail and Internet capabilities to aircraft cabins.
For more information, visit the Company's website at www.emssatcom.com