MCLEAN, VA – (May 25, 2010) – SES WORLD SKIES, U.S. Government Solutions today announced it has signed a major capacity agreement with ARTEL to extend U.S. Government communications capabilities in the Middle East.
ARTEL has taken service on four full Ku-band transponders (144 MegaHertz) on board SES’ ASTRA 3B satellite, which was launched May 21 from Kourou, French Guiana. This follows a multi-transponder deal between SES and ARTEL in 2009, bringing ARTEL’s total bandwidth procurement on the ASTRA 3B spacecraft to eight, 36 MHz-equivalent transponders, or 288 MHz.
The capacity will support essential communications applications in the Middle East, and will deliver broadband, IP voice, data and video capabilities to entities within the U.S. Government.
“Supporting the critical communications of our U.S. Government customers is our first priority, and this additional acquisition will provide our customers with outstanding services configured on this brand new, powerful SES satellite,” said Abbas Yazdani, Founder and CEO of ARTEL.
ASTRA 3B is a state-of-the-art Ku and Ka-band spacecraft designed for the distribution of both direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast services and two-way broadband services across Europe and the Middle East. The satellite has 60 Ku-band transponders and four Ka-band transponders, providing a wide range of connectivity from the 23.5E orbital location.
“The launch of our ASTRA 3B spacecraft has come at a time and location where U.S. Government customers are in need of connectivity,” said Tip Osterthaler, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES , U.S. Government Solutions. “We’re proud to be working with our ARTEL colleagues once again to support these essential communications.”
About SES WORLD SKIES, U.S. Government Solutions
SES WORLD SKIES, U.S. Government Solutions, a subsidiary of SES WORLD SKIES, is exclusively focused on meeting the satellite communications needs of the U.S. Government. Leveraging more than three decades of experience in the government SATCOM market, the division offers robust and secure satellite-based communications solutions. Supported by SES’ fleet of 44 satellites offering comprehensive global coverage, SES WORLD SKIES, U.S. Government Solutions offers highly reliable fixed, transportable and on-the-move capacity.
About SES WORLD SKIES
SES WORLD SKIES is the new division of SES, created through the combination of the former SES NEW SKIES and SES AMERICOM. The company operates a fleet of 27 satellites – part of the 44 spacecraft of the SES group – delivering services as diverse as television distribution and broadcast, internet access, data transmission and business and government communications to customers worldwide. SES WORLD SKIES currently has four additional satellites under construction. The company’s unique customer-focused approach allows it to offer the best satellite solutions for a host of business and government requirements, with a view toward helping customers meet their short-term challenges and realize their longer-term goals. SES WORLD SKIES comprises a world-class team of customer care and technical professionals located in Princeton (NJ), The Hague, Washington D.C., Singapore, Beijing, London, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Sydney, Accra and Johannesburg. Visit www.ses.com for more information.
About SES
SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, and participations in Ciel in Canada, QuetzSat in Mexico as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 44 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com.
About ARTEL
ARTEL is an award winning Global Provider and Integrator of “End To End” Secure Managed Network Services and Solutions since 1986. ARTEL’s value added services, which cover six of the seven continents, integrate both Information Assurance and Solutions Integration to ensure seamless provision of Hybrid Satellite and Terrestrial Voice, Data, Video, and IP services to its customers. For Further Information: www.artelinc.com
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CONTACT:
Nicole Robinson, 703-610-0972
nicole.robinson@ses-usg.com
Yves Feltes, 00352 710 725 311
yves.feltes@ses.com