Aricent, the communications software company, has announced its alliance with Aircell for the development of key software and processing components for the company’s inflight Broadband Systems. Aircell, based in Itasca, IL, is a premier wireless data and voice communications provider in business aviation and now commercial aviation. The company's new Broadband System will provide inflight Internet access to commercial airline passengers in 2008.

Aricent developed software components and functionality for Aircell's on-board central control processor. This system provides data communication between inflight Wi-Fi users and the cellular air-to-ground communications module used to deliver Aircell's inflight service, Gogo to passengers. In addition, Aricent has provided professional and technical consulting and testing services, developed software to authenticate user interactions, integrated the networking software components and subsystems to provide a seamless service and worked with Aircell's software and hardware providers to assure interoperability and speed in its national network deployment.

"Aircell chose Aricent for its extensive expertise in building complex communications infrastructure, and its ability to help quickly bring our service to market in the US," says Anand Chari, vice president of engineering, Aircell. "Aricent has helped us to achieve our goal of providing scalable Wi-Fi communications to commercial airlines and business aircraft. With Aricent, Aircell will enable travellers to stay connected to what matters most while flying over the United States."

Using the Aircell Broadband System, all travelers will be able to connect to the Internet in a fully integrated wireless cabin over a mobile broadband air-to-ground link. The result for commercial airline passengers is a broadband in flight experience that includes Internet, VPN access, email, multimedia capabilities, and extends to video-on-demand, games and additional entertainment choices. The Aircell network will initially cover the continental US and will be expanded to the rest of North America, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

"We are proud to use our communications software expertise to speed the delivery of Aircell’s unique air-to-ground cellular network," says Arputham Ganesan, head of data communications, Aricent. "Aircell's innovation in the aviation industry shows that the possibilities are endless for mobile broadband deployments, and Aricent has the experience to make it happen."