Next Generation United States – Canadian Joint Venture Satellite System has Capacity and Redundancy, Obviating Need for Additional Cost
Reston, Va., November 28, 2007 Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) announced today that the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), recognizing MSV’s in-orbit back-up capabilities, has waived a requirement that the company build a ground-based spare satellite in the event of satellite failure.
Under the FCC rules, MSV was required to build an on the ground spare satellite within one year of the company beginning operation of its next generation Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services.
The FCC’s order approving the waiver was issued on November 26, 2007 and is based on MSV’s plans to address in-orbit back-up capacity with the two-satellite system it is scheduled to launch with its joint venture partner, Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) and contingent on the company filing a report outlining contingency plans for dealing with a satellite failure. Currently, MSV is on schedule to launch MSV-1 in late 2009 followed by the second Canadian satellite, MSV-2, in 2010.
In the order the FCC found that “the requested waiver will strike an appropriate balance between ensuring continuity of satellite service to customers and minimizing cost burdens on the satellite operator.”
“MSV has worked diligently to develop a comprehensive contingency plan using two next generation satellites that will enable rapid restoration and continuation of services without the risk and expense associated with building, storing and launching a spare satellite,” said Alexander Good, vice chairman and CEO of Mobile Satellite Ventures. “We have always believed that in-orbit redundancy and service capacity provides significantly greater benefits to customers and to meet general public emergency and safety needs.”
MSV plans to launch two satellites for coverage of the United States and Canada, which are expected to be among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever built. When completed, the network is expected to support communications in a variety of areas including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services.
MSV is Redefining Wireless Communications(TM) through its development of a hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network, based on MSV’s patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology. The company expects its next-generation network will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. MSV plans to launch two of the most powerful commercial satellites ever built that will enable this network to support communications in a variety of areas including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services.
Mobile Satellite Ventures is majority owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:SKYT).
About Mobile Satellite Ventures and SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
MSV’s MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 satellites deliver mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. MSV is developing a hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network, which it expects will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. MSV holds the first FCC license to provide hybrid satellite-terrestrial services. MSV plans to launch two satellites for coverage of the United States and Canada, which are expected to be among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever built. When completed, the network is expected to support communications in a variety of areas including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services. MSV is majority owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: SKYT). http://www.msvlp.com
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to plans described in this news release. Such statements generally include words such as could, can, anticipate, believe, expect, seek, pursue, proposed, potential and similar words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties relating to the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to raise additional capital or consummate a strategic transaction or deploy the next generation system, as well as the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to execute their business plan. We assume no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.
