Alcatel Space announced today that the Company has
signed a contract to build a new satellite for the U.S. based satellite
communications provider SES AMERICOM Inc an SES Global company (Luxembourg
Stock Exchange: SESG; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: SDSL). This order is for
the construction and delivery on the ground of a new satellite named
AMC-23. The company also disclosed that, in February, SES AMERICOM has
cancelled orders for two transoceanic spacecrafts, as permitted by the T&Cs
of the contract.
The new Alcatel Space-built satellite is based on the Company’s highly
reliable 4000 Spacebus platform, one of the largest and most powerful
commercial satellite platforms available on the market today. The new
satellite will enable SES AMERICOM to expand its global fleet, delivering
TV and multimedia applications within the Asia Pacific region and across
the Pacific.
Weighing 4,850 metric tons and operating 60 C-band transponders, the
satellite will be built in Alcatel’s Cannes and Toulouse (France) clean
rooms.
Dean Olmstead, President and CEO, SES AMERICOM, said “These steps better
align our transpacific capacity expansion with market requirements. We are
confident that Alcatel Space will produce a high quality spacecraft that
our customers will value”.
Pascale Sourisse, Alcatel Space Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated in connection with this announcement: “We are very happy and proud
of this new contract which confirms SES AMERICOM’s confidence in both the
quality and competitiveness of Alcatel Space’s satellites. At this time we
have from SES GLOBAL a total construction commitment of 5 spacecrafts”.
About Alcatel Space
Alcatel Space ranks among the world’s leading space systems prime
contractors. Leveraging its dual expertise in civil and military
applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite technology solutions for
telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation, meteorology,
and scientific applications. A fully-owned subsidiary of Alcatel (100%),
Alcatel Space generated 2001 revenues of 1.4 billion Euros and has 6,000
employees.
About Alcatel
Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) designs, develops and builds
innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers,
service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as
voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world.
Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio,
stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile
networks to broadband access, Alcatel’s customers can focus on optimizing
their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 25 billion
in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
About SES AMERICOM
With over twenty-five years’ experience, SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized
as a pioneer and leading provider of global satellite communications
services currently providing capacity on 16 spacecraft capable of serving
the Americas, Europe, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Region and Asia. As a
member of the SES GLOBAL family AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end
telecommunications solutions to any region in a world.
About SES Global
SES GLOBAL SA has a fleet of 28 satellites and can deliver broadband
satellite services to more than 90% of the world’s population. In addition
SES GLOBAL’s strategic partnerships and participation in AsiaSat, NSAB,
Star One Americom Asia-Pacific and Nahuelsat combine to give
entertainment, telecommunications, Internet, news and enterprise customers
access to a fleet of 41 satellites.
