Panasonic Avionics Corporation Selects Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile for In-Flight Connectivity

LAKE FOREST, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, today announced a new strategic agreement with Deutsche Telekom.  Under terms of the new arrangement, Deutsche Telekom with its T-Mobile brand will be the preferred wireless internet service provider for Panasonic Avionics' Global Communications Suite.

"Panasonic is excited to announce our new relationship with Deutsche Telekom because we believe that the T-Mobile brand offers the perfect complement to our Global Communications Suite," said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  "T-Mobile is an established, best-in-class brand that offers an impressive portfolio of global roaming agreements and an excellent experience in terms of customer care, billing and support.  In fact, in many instances, T-Mobile and its roaming partners already enjoy strong relationships with many of the same passengers that the airlines and Panasonic intend to serve.  By combining these T-Mobile advantages with the unique connectivity capabilities of our Global Communications suite, Panasonic and Deutsche Telekom have the potential to offer airline passengers and crew an unmatched experience in broadband internet, data and voice communications."

"Joining forces with Panasonic Avionics Corporation in the field of in-flight connectivity and bringing in our expertise of customer insights and telecommunication trends opens huge opportunities for both partners," says Philipp Humm, Chief Regional Officer Europe of Deutsche Telekom. "We are looking forward to a successful future and to elevate communication services to new heights."

Panasonic's Global Communications Suite provides high-speed broadband internet, data and voice communications services to passengers and crew, using a GSM or Wi-Fi -enabled device.  Under the terms of this new agreement, Deutsche Telekom will manage the internet gateway and handle passenger billing and customer support for Wi-Fi services.  In addition, Deutsche Telekom will provide marketing and promotional support to drive utilization of the services.

The Panasonic Global Communications Suite can be used as a stand-alone service or be integrated with the aircraft's existing IFEC system.  It offers airlines the flexibility to provide passenger connectivity through passenger-paid access to the Internet or through advertising-supported content and sponsored Internet sessions.  The Global Communications Suite supports popular passenger online activities, such as accessing corporate VPNs or intranets, browsing the Web, personal e-mail and instant messaging, social networking and online shopping.

About Deutsche Telekom AG

Deutsche Telekom is one of the leading integrated telecommunications companies worldwide with more than 151 million mobile customers, more than 38 million fixed-network lines and more than 15 million broadband lines (as at: December 31, 2009). Its product brands are called T-Home (fixed-network telephony, broadband Internet),T-Mobile (mobile communication) and T-Systems (ICT solutions). As an international group of companies in around 50 countries throughout the world with almost 260,000 employees (as at: December 31, 2009), Deutsche Telekom generated more than half of its revenues of EUR 64.6 billion outside Germany in 2009. Further information is available at www.telekom.com.

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems.  The company's best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).  Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 2,600 employees and operations in 50 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft.  For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero.

SOURCE Panasonic Avionics Corporation