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IMS` Launches Onboard Wi-Fi / Content Management Solution, the ``Terminal Data Loader`` (TDL)

April 7th, 2005– A new approach to content loading in IFE has been launched by portable and wireless communications provider, IMS Inflight, in the form of a wireless communications/content management device called the “Terminal Data Loader (TDL)”.

“TDL ports the media, not the loader,” IMS CEO Alan Pellegrini says, “and provides onboard content loading and wireless gate communications.”

IMS’ first TDL customer is American Airlines who has chosen TDL for its international fleet of 767 aircraft, says Pellegrini. American will be followed by Virgin America who has also opted for TDL.

The TDL is permanently installed onboard the aircraft, according to IMS president and COO Rod Farley. It is capable of supporting automatic (wireless) data transfers utilizing 802.11 and GSM or CDMA. It also supports semi-automatic data transfers via removable media. Depending on the TDL configuration selected by the airline, data can be loaded to or offloaded from an aircraft using a DVD or CD, a USB memory stick, a removable hard drive, and/or an AIT tape. In all cases, data loading takes place automatically as aircraft and IFE conditions permit—onboard the aircraft, not on the tarmac.

End-to-End Content Encryption

Because the TDL can decrypt content in real time, movies never need to be transported to the aircraft in the clear, says Pellegrini. Content remains encrypted from the time it leaves post-production until it is safely read by the TDL. The TDL provides built-in hardware decryption on the aircraft that supports DES, 3DES, and AES. The TDL uses a physically secure FIPS 140-1, level 2-compliant hardware device to perform authentication and encryption key storage.

The TDL accommodates high-volume content loading through the 50-200 GB-capacity AIT tape drive or 100GB removable hard drive, and medium-volume loading using 8.5 GB-capacity DVDs. Low volume content loading and data offloading can be accomplished manually using a CD or USB memory stick, or automatically using a wireless link. “In addition to the 802.11 b/g capability, the TDL contains either a tri-band (900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS phone or a CDMA phone that provides a wireless, bi-directional data link to your aircraft,” says Farley.

Because communications are bi-directional, delivery of the content/data is tracked online, and anxious IFE managers can use the CabinTrends Web portal to determine delivery status of each aircraft`s load. The TDL provides a wireless connection when the aircraft is at the gate. This connection supports key management, remote software updates, remote IFE system monitoring, Passenger Usage/BIT reporting, and more.

”The increasing need by airlines to control costs has resulted in greater focus on the content supply chain where airlines are beginning to realize that an increasingly automated, integrated supply chain can reduce costs and create operational efficiencies,” observed Pellegrini.

Automated Key Management

The TDL provides the only automated method in IFE today to update content encryption keys to comply with MPAA guidelines for key replacement, explains Farley. ``IFE managers can initiate key updates from their desk-tops. The combination of end-to-end content encryption, real-time hardware decryption on the aircraft, and automated and secure key management should give IFE managers considerable comfort that they can conveniently and easily comply with MPAA content security guidelines. In this respect, the TDL helps airlines ensure that they continue to qualify for early-window content.``

About IMS: IMS is the leading provider of portable and wireless solutions in IFE, and is the developer of the Personal Entertainment Appliance (“Pea”) handheld IFE system. IMS also develops passenger and cabin crew software applications, and provides and operates data management services for the airline industry. Additional information is available at www.imsinflight.com .