Eurocontrol and SITA: Pan-European Network Service launched. Eurocontrol signed a contract with SITA to launch PENS, a pan-European communications network service that will allow all air navigation service providers to exchange voice and data communications in a seamless and integrated manner.

PENS, a managed internet protocol (IP)-based regional communications backbone service, will provide an alternative to the ad-hoc, bi-lateral communications that air navigation service providers (ANSPs) mostly use today.

Delivered by SITA, it will meet both current needs for inter-ANSP information exchange as well as those being planned in the SESAR programme for the System Wide Information Management (SWIM) initiative.

Importantly, it will help those ANSPs who are still using the X25 Protocol to move to an IP service in a cost-efficient and manageable way in order to comply with the Single European Sky regulation.

PENS will also replace the individual IP network services that have been used for services to Euocontrols Central Flow Management Unit and the European Aeronautical Information Service Database (EAD).

It will provide substantial economies of scale, as there are a number of common points through which both CFMU and EAD services are delivered.

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