Claircom International chosen as premier SATCOM airborne telephone; Claircom International has installed SATCOM airborne telephones on more aircraft, more aircraft types than any competitor.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 1995--The recent selection of Claircom International as the provider of cabin telephone equipment on Swissair Airbus 321, 320 and 319 and Boeing 747 solidifies Claircom's position as the pre-eminent SATCOM airborne telephone provider.

Claircom International, also known as AT&T Wireless Services (Aviation Communications Division) in North America, has contracted for more than 300 aircraft and nine aircraft types, unmatched by any competitor.

The addition of 35 Swissair SATCOM installations augments a list of SATCOM installations that includes airlines such as Air France, Austrian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS).

Contracted or installed aircraft types and models include Boeing 747-200, 747-300, 747-400, 767-300ER; MD-11; and A300-600, A310-300, A319, A320, A321, A340-200 and A340-300.

"Claircom has made a four-year commitment to developing a state-of-the-art system to allow satellite communication worldwide," said John Beyer, vice president and managing director, Claircom International/AT&T Wireless. "We're proud of our accomplishments in bringing this service to the world."

Claircom International/AT&T Wireless has partnered with several satellite service providers, including Skyphone, a consortium headed by British Telecom; Satellite AIRCOM, a consortium including SITA and COMSAT; and the airlines to provide calling capability for those flying outside North America.

"Passengers have an even greater need to communicate or gain access to information when traveling internationally," continued Beyer. "There is no way that a businessperson today can afford to be out of touch for the average of seven to 10 hours it takes to reach his or her destination.

"With the option of satellite communication accessed by our superior digital telephone equipment on board, we're providing the technology that sets passengers free."

Claircom International/AT&T Wireless has eight international and five U.S. airlines as customers. International customers are Air France, Austrian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Swissair -- eight of the leading airlines in Europe and the Middle East.

U.S. customers are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (international fleet), Northwest Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Claircom International/AT&T Wireless provides a sophisticated ISDN switch and the most advanced PABX functionality available. The low-weight equipment is all-digital and features ergonomic, integrated IFE/telephone handsets.

Claircom International/AT&T Wireless Services (Aviation Communications Division) is 90 percent owned by McCaw Cellular Communications Inc. and 10 percent owned by Cantel. McCaw is the nation's largest provider of cellular service, offering wireless voice and data communications.

McCaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T and will make the transition to the operating name of AT&T Wireless Services during the third quarter of 1995. Claircom International/AT&T Wireless Services is a subsidiary of AT&T Corp.

CONTACT: Claircom International/AT&T Wireless Services

Erica Verstegen, ph:206/389-4177, fx:206/389-4100

WAEA Booth 421

or

AT&T Wireless Services

Todd Wolfenbarger, 206/828-1851

or

Waggener Edstrom

Amy McGill or Teresa Fausti-Flora, 503/245-0905