Alliance To Provide More Choice For AGS DOD Customers
March 2, 2006 – Washington, D.C. – AMERICOM Government Services, Inc. (AGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM, today announced an agreement with XTAR, LLC, making high powered commercial X-band service available to AGS’ numerous customers across the U.S. Department of Defense, other agencies and users. XTAR, a joint venture between Loral Space & Communications (NASDAQ: LORL) and HISDESAT, operates the XTAR-EUR satellite and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.
“We’re delighted to expand the reach of XTAR services through an agreement with an experienced government SATCOM services partner such as AGS,” said Denis Curtin, chief operating officer, XTAR LLC. “Working with companies like AGS is an integral part of our strategy to aggressively pursue opportunities with U.S. and Allied government entities through direct and indirect channels.”
XTAR-EUR is a powerful all X-band satellite stationed at 29 degrees East longitude. The satellite provides coverage from Eastern Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, across all of Europe, Africa and the Middle East to as far east as Singapore. With the imminent launch of XTAR-LANT, XTAR’s eight transponder payload on SPAINSAT, the company’s coverage area will expand to include portions of the United States and the South American and African continents. Both satellites carry a number of steerable spot beams that can be positioned anywhere within each satellite’s footprint.
“Adding X-band services to our portfolio of satcom solutions is something we’re very pleased to do through our alliance with XTAR,” said David Helfgott, CEO of AMERICOM Government Services. “Making X-band capacity available immediately is just the first step – we will also be uplinking to the XTAR satellite and delivering X-band services through AMERICOM’s world-class teleport and terrestrial infrastructure, offering satcom solutions to the U.S. DOD and related programs and users.”
Recent tests of XTAR’s high power commercial X-band service using U.S. military legacy equipment has shown data rates that far exceed the capabilities of current military X-band systems. Notably, throughput on XTAR-EUR can achieve data rates in excess of 100 Mbps with only minor antenna and terminal modifications to current equipment in use in the field today.
About XTAR, LLC
XTAR, LLC is a new satellite communications company committed to serving the long-haul communications, logistics and infrastructure requirements of the U.S., Spanish and allied governments. The company is a joint venture between Loral Space & Communications, which owns 56 percent, and HISDESAT, which owns 44 percent. For more information, visit XTAR’s web site at http://www.xtarllc.com.
About AMERICOM Government Services
AMERICOM Government Services, Inc. (AGS) is an independent corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM. 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, US Army, US Air Force, Department of Commerce/NOAA, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, NASA, and other civilian and defense-related agencies.
# # #
CONTACT:
Monica Morgan, (1) 609-987-4143
monica.morgan@ses-americom.com