Platforms International (Pictel) has secured the first customer for a system using aircraft to relay wireless voice and data communications.
Brazilian cellular telephone company Americel has signed a contract worth $330 million for the 10-year lease of five Airborne Relay Communications (ARC) systems from Pictel.
The contract is conditional on a successful "beta" demonstration of the system in Brazil in the fourth quarter. This will involve a month-long trial of a production-standard ARC system installed in an aircraft operated by Pictel's Brazilian aviation partner, Aeromot Group.
Pictel chairman Bill Martin says the favoured aircraft for the beta demonstration is a Raytheon Beech King Air 200, although the Pilatus PC-12 is being considered, as is the Embraer EMB-120.
If the test is successful, the system will remain in place for use by Americel.
Source: Flight International
