ARINC Receives 2004 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation for AWINS.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, U.S. Government Systems Integration, selected ARINC (Aeronautical Radio, Inc.) as the recipient of the 2004 Technology Innovation Award for developing the ARINC Wireless Interoperability Network Solution (AWINS).

Every year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. The award recognizes the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce new technology, formulate a well-designed product suite, and make significant product performance contributions to the industry.

A world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering, ARINC develops and operates communications/information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation.

The company's new technology - AWINS - is a network designed to link public safety agencies together locally or across the country. It enables fire, police, emergency medical services (EMS), and other emergency personnel from multiple agencies to communicate with one another in day-to-day operations or whenever critical events demand it. The solution also enables police, fire, health departments, utility companies, local governments including even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security to become securely interconnected.

"To design the AWINS system, ARINC integrated several commercial off-the-shelf technologies, including advanced translation software and electronic field boxes used to interconnect portable radio equipment," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Roopa Shree.

ARINC's solution offers another benefit - agencies using AWINS can keep their present communications equipment because AWINS links wired and wireless systems of all types - telephones, private branch exchanges (PBX), standard UHF and VHF analog radios, mobile digital, ship-to-shore, air-ground, voice over IP, and both standard and push-to-talk cellular phones.

AWINS is available coast-to-coast over ARINC's high-speed AviNet(R) network, which is one of the largest private data networks with mobile voice and data solutions, delivering universal connectivity for companies, trading partners, service providers, and government agencies worldwide. AviNet combines mobile voice and data communications, message switching, and content services into a fully managed service using fail-safe systems and connectivity.

The recent terrorist attacks on the United States have highlighted the absolute need for reliable communications between government, police, fire, health departments, and other emergency agencies. Wireless interoperability between these departments calls for integration of their communication equipment to enable seamless sharing of critical information in the wake of an emergency.

"The high cost involved in replacing the existing analog local radio equipment has been a major hindrance to interoperability," notes Shree. "ARINC, with the introduction of AWINS has tackled the interoperability gap, bringing the right technology to the market at a time when its need has been more pronounced than ever."

The solution enables the agencies to get connected using their current equipment: without having to invest in costly infrastructure or changing to new technology since AWINS connects all types of emergency radio and telephone systems using a powerful digital capability. AWINS connections can be installed on police, fire, and government radio systems to provide always-on connectivity. Portable or wireless AWINS technology can be positioned locally for delivery to emergency sites.

Frost & Sullivan, through this award, recognizes ARINC's capability to bring in technological innovation in the market to fulfill the need of the hour, which is interoperability of communication equipment at present.

About ARINC

For more information visit www.arinc.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company founded in 1961, partners with clients to create value through innovative growth strategies. The foundation of this partnership approach is our Growth Partnership Services platform, whereby we provide industry research, marketing strategies, consulting, and training to our clients to help grow their business. A key benefit that Frost & Sullivan brings to its clients is a global perspective on a broad range of industries, markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. With a client list that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, as well as the investment community, Frost & Sullivan has evolved into one of the premier growth consulting companies in the world.