Alcatel Space today confirmed that the satellite construction contract signed last October with Brazilian operator Star One had taken effect. Worth more than 100 million dollars, the contract covers the construction of a new Ku-band communications satellite for Latin America. It will allow the Andean Pact countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), working through Andesat, to develop a satellite communications infrastructure Ð a key to regional integration.
This latest success reflects Alcatel Space’s business development strategy, based on its role as a strategic partner to its customers starting with the initial project design phase.
Alcatel Space teamed up with Andesat back in 1999 to create a joint company, Bolivar*Sat, to launch a satellite system into the 67 degrees West slot, and market its services. In April, Alcatel Space sold its share in Bolivar*Sat to the Brazilian operator Star One, which now has 51 percent of the company, alongside Andesat. Together, they will operate the Star One C1 satellite.
Star One C1, based on the Spacebus 3000 platform, will be launched in 2004 by an Ariane 5. The first C-series satellite operating in Ku band, it will be equipped with 44 transponders (36 MHz) to give South American high-speed Internet and multimedia capacity.
“We are very proud to build this satellite for Star One. This contract rewards our customer-oriented approach,” said Pascale Sourisse, Chairman and CEO of Alcatel Space. “Our broad knowledge of the region and our close collaboration with the entire Alcatel Group in Latin America have enabled us to carve out a position in a promising new market.”
About Star One
Star One is the largest satellite operator in Latin America and Number 10 worldwide. Founded in December 2000, Star One is a partnership between Embratel, which owns 80%, and SES GLOBAL, the largest satellite company in Europe, with a share of 20%. In 2001, it posted net income of 61.7 million reals (R$) on total revenues of R$314 million.
About Andesat
Andesat is a multinational consortium comprising 43 investors from the five Andean Pact countries (Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia); each country has a 20% share of the consortium. Inaddition to the orbital slot assigned to the Simon Bolivar F1/ Star One C1 satellite (67¼ W), Andesat has two other orbital slots (61¼ W and 106¼ W). Using these resources, the company intends to develop satellite communications throughout South and Central America.
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. The company is also Europe’s number one prime contractor for Earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, as well as space systems operations. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcatel, Alcatel Space generated revenues of 1.4 billion euros in 2001 and has 6,000 employees. For more information, please visit our website at : http://www.alcatel.com/space/
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. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com
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