New Satellite Doubles the Capacity of HD-PRIME Cable Neighborhood

April 16, 2004 – Princeton, NJ – SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL Company (Luxembourg and Frankfurt Exchanges: SESG), today announced its AMERICOM-11 (AMC-11) satellite has been unloaded from its environmentally controlled shipping container, following a cross-country journey aboard an eighteen-wheeler from Sunnyvale, California to Cape Canaveral. Over the next month, AMC-11 will be readied for its May 19 lift off aboard an Atlas IIAS rocket. The A2100 model satellite, built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, will be launched by International Launch Services (ILS).

A team of ILS, Lockheed Martin and AMERICOM experts conduct a month-long, multi-faceted launch preparation of both the satellite and launch vehicle. Key satellite preps include final electrical performance testing, propulsion system fueling and final weighing. After integration with the Atlas IIAS launch vehicle, communication links between the satellite and ground operations are verified and launch readiness is confirmed.

After successful launch and in-orbit testing are concluded, the satellite will transfer into its operating orbital position of 131 degrees west longitude, where it will support HD-PRIME, America’s premier cable neighborhood that reaches over 80 million homes.

Later this year, AMC-11 will join its identical twin satellite, AMC-10, in distributing some of the country’s most popular HD and standard definition programming over HD-PRIME. A growing list of marquee producers has already signed up for dedicated use of the reliable and advanced platform to distribute an array of digital services, including a handful of very popular high definition channels. AMC-10, which was launched in February, is scheduled to begin service in early May.

“The launch of AMC-11 represents SES AMERICOM’s continuous investment in and commitment to the needs of our customers, as they strive to meet the entertainment and communications demands of consumers across America,” said Dean Olmstead, president and CEO, SES AMERICOM. “HD-PRIME features the unparalleled reliability and reach that cable programmers, operators, and cable television viewers in every American television neighborhood count on every day.”

A growing list of marquee cable programmers are already scheduled to use HD-PRIME to distribute dozens of standard and high definition programming channels, including Viacom, A&E Television Networks, C-SPAN, Court TV, Crown Media, Discovery Communications, E! Networks, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel.

The Satellite and HD-PRIME

AMC-10 and AMC-11 are all C-band satellites, which will operate from 135 degrees west longitude and 131 degrees west longitude respectively. The two A2100 spacecraft have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering almost a 20% increase in power over their predecessors, Satcom C-3 and Satcom C-4. In addition, a higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7 currently operating at 137 degrees west longitude, will protect the cable programming services.

About SES AMERICOM

The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on five satellites covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions. SES AMERICOM key customers include ABC Radio Networks, Antrix Corporation Ltd., AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Connexion by Boeing, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, EchoStar, Fox, Gannett, TV Guide/Gemstar, Globecomm Systems, HBO, Hughes Network Systems, JSAT, Korea Telecom, MCI, NBC, The New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, PCCW, SCC, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner, Unitel Hellas, Viacom, and various agencies of the U.S. government.

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Contact: Monica Morgan
              SES AMERICOM
              +1-609-987-4143
               

              Paul Sims
              Sims Communications (for SES AMERICOM)
              +1- 678-576-6126