Companies Partner to Conduct Testing of Mobile Broadband Internet Service
August 9, 2006 – Washington, DC – AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, Inc. (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM, and Wheat International, a provider of long-range wireless services, today announced that the companies set a new documented record for mobile broadband Internet services recently during a public test of the TeleSeasm Network (TeleSeasm) in the Norfolk, Va., area. These long-range wireless Internet systems, which support high-speed data and voice traffic, can be set up instantly and have many commercial and government wireless applications, including meeting first responder needs during disasters.
“We have a strong track record of delivering reliable, easy to use and cost effective solutions that fit the unique needs of both commercial and government customers,” said Forrest Wheat, President and CEO of Wheat International. “Our partnership with AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES gives us the opportunity to collaborate on bringing cutting-edge technology applications to the industry, giving new meaning to emergency response support when communications capability is critical.”
The purpose of the test was to determine the maximum daily throughput of Wheat’s HIRAsm (patent pending WiFi system) which is designed to be connected to a TeleSeasm Model 2 Ku-band satellite antenna, a one meter maritime very small aperture terminal (VSAT), using Americom’s AMC-6 TDMA Shared Platform Satellite from a ship. The test revealed what was previously considered impossible – a total of approximately 85 gigabytes of data was transferred wirelessly during the 13 days’ testing period – an average of 6.5 gigabytes of data per day via shipboard Internet services.
“During intelligence or emergency response operations, a communications infrastructure must withstand the ability to transfer significant data quickly, reliably and securely whether at sea, on land or between the two,” said David Helfgott, CEO of AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES. “By working with Wheat International, we have combined our innovative, technical expertise to offer greater assurance to our customers seeking these capabilities.”
The partnership allows world wide maritime-broadband internet services with long range WiFi access up to 30 miles from Wheat’s HIRAsm/TeleSeasm Model 2 Ku-band satellite antenna which now gives multiple ships in company the capability to share broadband access.
Previously smaller ships were unable to have high speed broadband services. Americom’s AMC-6 satellite provides all-digital Ku-band connectivity to millions of users and has Internet service integration platforms due to the satellite’s wide coverage and high levels of redundancy capabilities.
“The partnership makes the perfect combination for first responders and homeland security,” added Forrest Wheat.
TeleSeasm, a Wheat Wireless Services’ Maritime Systems Division, is a mariner-based wireless communications services provider that offers broadband services to the coastal regions of the U.S. with access up to 30 miles from the coast.
About AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES
AMERICOM Government Services, Inc. (AGS) is an independent corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges: SESG). Leveraging a 30-year heritage of experience in the government SATCOM market, AGS offers comprehensive satellite-based communications solutions that enable federal agencies to extend secure broadband communications to fulfill both routine and mission-critical applications. With access to a fleet of 42 satellites, AGS’ full range of satellite services and end-to-end solutions allows for secure, reliable communications and comprehensive global coverage. AGS’ reputation for operational excellence and highly reliable network solutions has been validated by long-term relationships with diverse government customers including DoD, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Department of Commerce/NOAA, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, NASA, and other civilian and defense-related agencies.
About Wheat Wireless Services
Wheat Wireless Services is a provider of long-range wireless services headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, with offices in California and Hawaii; Wheat Wireless Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wheat International Communications Corporation which, since 1987, has specialized in engineering and managing large, complex networks. For more information call 1-800-340-8045.
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Contacts
AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, Inc. (AGS)
Monica Morgan, +1-609-987-4143
monica.morgan@ses-americom.com
or
Eric Anderson, Wheat International Communications,
212-221-1616 ext. 117
Eric_anderson@coltrin.com