Press Release
Issued by ICG.
October 10, 2011
International Communications Group (ICG) announced today that the first production units of its new cordless cabin telephone system, "ePhone" will be available for shipment in December 2011. The initial units will be used by ICG and its customers in testing to acquire Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for the new handset on various aircraft models. ICG also anticipates receiving Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) for the ePhone, docking station and base unit during the first Quarter, 2012.
"Obtaining STCs for the ePhone with key airframe customers represents a major milestone in the program and the handset's entry into service," said Jeff Saucedo, ICG's vice president of OEM Sales. "In addition, ICG's ePhone represents a major transformation in aircraft communications technology. The system will meet the needs of both our business aviation and air transport customers who desire a feature-rich solution in a lightweight package. Having PMA on the system reduces the complexity that can develop during the installation process, thus benefiting both the installer and end user."
The ICG ePhone provides customers with a stylish handset that delivers the same screen quality that they have become accustomed to on handheld personal devices. Based on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECTtm) technology, the ePhone system provides all contemporary telecom features including intercom calling, conferencing, and call hold. It also incorporates a host of new features such as active cabin-noise reduction, Bluetooth® compatibility, and advanced power control which extends battery life by providing an auto shutoff feature that virtually eliminates the frequent "dead phone" syndrome common to WI-FI 802.11 handsets.ICG's ePhone employs all digital VoIP technology and provides Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) calling via Ethernet connections which allow it to independently handle three simultaneous calls and support up to four handsets, each having its own unique telephone number. The system also supports four Analog connections to legacy communication systems which can be used in conjunction with the SIP services or as an alternative to SIP connectivity. The ePhone has a stylish docking station that can be mounted either vertically or horizontally and provides battery charging and latches the handset during takeoff and landing. Among a host of other additional features, the ePhone is also capable of providing status information to cabin management systems to indicate system activity and handset status.
Complete with cradle and base unit, the ePhone system weighs approximately 3 pounds. The handset has a large 2.2 inch, 240 x 320 Pixel, 256K color illuminated display, illuminated keypad, and the ability to upload a phone book or up to 500 vCard entries. It will hold a charge for up to 200 hours in standby mode or up to 15 hours of talk time and can be personalized with a corporate logo screensaver. Each handset can also be loaded with a personalized phone directory. Multiple cordless units, up to 4 per base unit, can be installed in the aircraft cabin. Various mounting locations and techniques are available to support installation on any size airframe and to provide a convenient upgrade path for operators with existing cordless installations.
