22nd Aug 2008 08:30
INMARSAT APPOINTS PARTNERS TO SUPPORT S-BAND APPLICATION PROCESS
London, UK; 22nd August 2008: Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) today confirms the selection of Thales Alenia Space and International Launch Services to support an application under the European S-band Application Process (ESAP) for an award of S-band spectrum.
Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat's Chairman and CEO said, "Inmarsat is one of the most capable and credible potential awardees for the S-band frequencies and we are targeting the commercial opportunities that may arise from S-band to drive new growth and create value for shareholders. We will be submitting a formal application to the European Union authorities and we are delighted to announce the appointment of Thales Alenia Space and International Launch Services to support our application."
Inmarsat and Thales Alenia Space today announced an Authorisation to Proceed for the development of the "EuropaSat" satellite to provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services in the S-Band throughout Europe. Thales Alenia Space will commence work on the satellite design, based on its Spacebus 4000C3 platform and develop it through the Critical Design Review to support a fully compliant application for a EC-wide S-band spectrum allocation by Inmarsat, under the recently-announced ESAP.
Inmarsat and International Launch Services (ILS) today announced a contract for the launch of EuropaSat. This contract follows this week's successful launch of the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite on an International Launch Services' Proton Breeze M vehicle.
Both the Thales Alenia Space satellite manufacturing programme and ILS launch contract are subject to a successful outcome of the ESAP which commenced on 7 August 2008.
Mr Sukawaty added, "While we progress our S-band application, we will be pursuing the commercial partnerships necessary to ensure the returns from the required investment will generate acceptable returns on capital without undue risks or uncertainties."
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