[dynoman]

Apparently they do;

The A330’s telemetry system, which automatically sends data to the airline’s maintenance computers, transmitted data indicating electrical problems and possible depressurization of the aircraft at 0233 GMT June 1, about three hours after takeoff. The A330 was about 230 miles northeast of the Brazilian coast approaching heavy thunderstorms that line the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) at that latitude. The ITCZ is an area of continuous low pressure that lines the equatorial regions.

The aircraft had already flown beyond radar contact and, like all airline traffic in the central Atlantic, was using satellite voice position reports or automated telemetry reports to enable air traffic control to know their locations.”

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0906/01crash/

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"The aircraft had already flown beyond radar contact and, like all airline traffic in the central Atlantic, was using satellite voice position reports or automated telemetry reports to enable air traffic control to know their locations.”

So, a satellite system. Which means the airplane had to be flying in a normal attitude for the signals to be received; the antenna for such things is probably on the roof of the plane. Hm. That means it wasn't broken up with pieces tumbling and spinning when the failure transmissions were made.