Aether Systems Inc. said that U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. has agreed to equip its entire fleet of 5,500 trucks with Aether MobileMax.

The carrier said it will replace its existing satellite-only system, and plans to install Aether’s multi-mode wireless communications and tracking system in substantially all of its trucks during 2003.

U.S. Xpress has been testing Aether’s MobileMax system in more than 100 trucks. The multi-mode system automatically switches between land-based and satellite communications.

U.S. Xpress said that it plans to implement several new applications including Proximity Alert, which provides automatic notifications of pre-programmed events such as when a vehicle arrives at or departs from a particular location. The carrier also plans to use applications that provide automatic state line crossing reports, as well as driver performance reports and vehicle fault code monitoring.