21st Dec 2007 12:20
Inmarsat PLC21 December 2007 SkyTerra, Mobile Satellite Ventures and Inmarsat Sign Spectrum Coordination andCooperation Agreement Pact Provides for L-Band Contiguity for Improved Efficiency and MSS/ATCOperational Parameters RESTON, Va., LONDON and OTTAWA, December 21, 2007 - SkyTerra Communications,Inc. (OTCBB: SKYT), Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT), Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV)and Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. (MSV Canada) announced today thatthe companies have reached a comprehensive cooperative agreement for L-Bandoperations in North America. The agreement is intended to enable the re-bandingand efficient reuse of a substantial segment of North American L-Band radiospectrum for the benefit of the companies and their current and future customersand partners. The agreement encompasses a wide scope of activities including business,technology, regulatory and spectrum coordination issues. Highlights of the agreement include: •Provisions for the re-banding of the parties' spectrum over North America to afford contiguous spectrum for operations. This is intended to address growing broadband requirements for enabling future hybrid mobile satellite services (MSS) and ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) services. •Coordination parameters for the parties' next generation satellites covering North America, both the new Inmarsat-4s and the new MSV1 and MSV2 satellites, in a manner designed to increase spectrum efficiency and protect both MSS and ATC operations from harmful interference. •Resolution between the parties of outstanding regulatory issues in the United States and Canada, concerning each other's operations. •Accommodating increased technical flexibility and system enhancements that result in greater ATC usage and operations while protecting MSS. •Flexibility to market and operate devices which address growing wireless broadband demands while providing a next-generation satellite capability. In addition, the agreement also establishes a structure by which Inmarsat willmodify its North American operations in a manner that will enable MSV to makemore extensive use of L-Band spectrum available for MSS/ATC than is possibletoday. "This agreement introduces a new era of cooperation among L-Band operators and,we believe, will help unlock the growing value of ATC technology on our nowenhanced spectrum, enabling customers throughout North America to reap thebenefits from greater flexibility and choices in air interface technology,coverage and equipment options," said Alexander Good, CEO and President ofSkyTerra and Vice Chairman and CEO of Mobile Satellite Ventures LP. "We haveworked long and hard with Inmarsat to develop this agreement, which setsoperational parameters in the L-band for existing satellite operations and laysthe groundwork for future cooperation to address consumers' demand for nextgeneration technology and services." "Inmarsat's agreement with MSV, MSV Canada and SkyTerra lays the groundwork forincreased operational and technical cooperation while ensuring that Inmarsat cancontinue to grow and deploy mobile satellite services in North America,including BGAN services and our portfolio of existing and evolved offerings,"said Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman and CEO of Inmarsat. All of the above provisions are subject to applicable regulatory approvals.Additional details regarding the agreement, including financial terms betweenthe parties, can be found in SkyTerra's 8-K that has been filed with the SEC.The 8-K is available on the EDGAR system and is posted to the financialinformation section of the SkyTerra Web site-www.skyterra.com. About Inmarsat plc Inmarsat plc (LSE:ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellitecommunications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice andhigh-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and otherorganizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or inthe air. The company's services are delivered through a global network of morethan 500 distribution partners and service providers operating in 180 countries.For the year ended 31 December 2006, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$500.1million. More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com. About Mobile Satellite Ventures and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. MSV has been delivering mobile wireless voice and data services primarily forpublic safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. andCanada using MSV Canada's MSAT-1 and MSV's MSAT-2 satellites for over 10 years.MSV is developing a hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network in NorthAmerica, based on MSV's patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC)technology. MSV is a joint venture between Mobile Satellite Ventures LP andMobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. MSVLP is majority owned and controlledby SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:SKYT). More information can be found atwww.msvlp.com. Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning ofthe Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to plans described inthis news release. Such statements generally include words such as could, can,anticipate, believe, expect, seek, pursue, proposed, potential and similarwords. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties relating tothe ability of SkyTerra and MSV to raise additional capital or consummate astrategic transaction or deploy the next generation system, as well as theability of SkyTerra and MSV to execute their business plan. We assume noobligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements. CONTACT: Simon AilesInmarsat plcT: +44 20 7728 [email protected] Christopher McLaughlinInmarsat plcT: +44 20 7728 1015M: +44 (0)779 627 [email protected] Tom Surface Mobile Satellite Ventures LP T: 001 703 390 1579 M: 001 703 462 3837 [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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