World's First In-flight Passenger Cell Phone Capability
TORONTO, Oct. 31 /CNW/ - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. ("Star
Navigation") (TSX.V - SNA and OTC.BB - SNAVF), is pleased to announce that it
has entered into an agreement with SpiceJet Airways of India to co-launch the
world's first in-flight commercial passenger cell phone capability during
flight for both voice and text messaging using the GSM network.
It is intended that the formal contract to be signed by the parties will
occur by November 30, 2005.
Once development is complete, the first installations are scheduled for
SpiceJet's fleet of commercial aircraft, after which worldwide sales and
marketing to the aviation industry will commence. This technology will provide
airline operators the technological capability to offer their passengers use
of their cell phone on-board aircraft while in flight.
As previously announced, Star Navigation has already signed a $9.0M
contract with SpiceJet for the installation of Star Navigation's flagship
product the ISMS(TM) (the In-flight Safety Monitoring System) on SpiceJet's
entire fleet of commercial passenger airplanes.
A.R. Aviation, a business jet operator in India and Star Navigation's
most recent customer for the ISMS(TM) product also intends to purchase the
cell phone capability from Star Navigation, once worldwide sales commence. A.R
Aviation will be the first private business jet operator in the world offering
the unique in-flight cell phone technology to their customers and passengers.
"We are delighted that we have SpiceJet as our partner in this co-launch.
When one considers that India has a population in excess of 1 billion, and
cell phone use is estimated at 56 million users rising to 95 million this year
alone; the scope and magnitude of this particular opportunity for Star
Navigation is simply tremendous," reports Viraf Kapadia, Chairman and CEO.
About Star Navigation...
Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (www.star-navigation.com) owns the
worldwide license to a product without peer, its proprietary, patented
In-flight Safety Monitoring System - ISMS(TM), the first system in the world
to feature in-flight data-analysis, -monitoring and -diagnostics with a
real-time connection between aircraft and ground. Its real-time capability of
tracking performance-trends and predicting incident-occurrence enhances
aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the
operator.
Certain statements contained in this News Release constitute
forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may",
"would", "could", "will" and similar expressions, as they relate to Star or
its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such
statements reflect Star's current views with respect to future events and are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could
cause Star's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described
herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or
should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended,
planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Star does not assume
any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
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