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NSN Network Services to Use Both GE-4 and GE-8 Satellites
Nation's Second Largest Radio Service Expands Distribution
PRINCETON, NJ, January 11, 2000
GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) announced today that NSN Network Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, has signed a multi-year service contract for two additional satellite transponders to support their network's growth requirements. NSN selected GE-4 to distribute its internal audio networks and WAN Protection Services and has committed to GE-8 for distribution of nationally syndicated radio and IP data services. NSN began to use the Ku-band transponder on GE-4 earlier this month while the C-band transponder on GE-8 will come into play when the satellite becomes operational in Q1 2001.
Carl Capista, GE Americom's Vice President, Satellite Services - North America said, "Clear Channel has become one of the most important radio programmers in the country and we are delighted to have them join our radio neighborhood on GE-8 and to support their expanding Ku-band distribution needs on GE-4."
"The availability of capacity in America's best satellite radio neighborhood, Satcom C5, and the ability to migrate our traffic to the soon-to-be-launched GE-8, a satellite with a more powerful footprint, has been extremely instrumental to our rapid growth," commented Joe Zerucha, NSN's General Manager. "Having just launched the radio industry's premiere multiple channel per carrier (MCPC) delivery platform, our investment in GE-8 further demonstrates our commitment to becoming the leading radio service provider in the U.S. This additional satellite capacity facilitates the continued growth of our very popular IP provisioning and WAN protection services," he added.
NSN Network Services, based in Englewood, Colorado, is the nation's leading Managed Network Service provider and distributor of satellite technology for paging, radio broadcasting, WAN, Internet, intranet and private telephone networks. The company is owned by Clear Channel Communications (NYSE:CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry with radio and television stations and outdoor displays in 32 countries around the world. Including announced transactions, Clear Channel operates approximately 800 radio and 19 television stations in the United States and has equity interests in over 240 radio stations internationally. Clear Channel also owns and manages more than 550,000 outdoor advertising displays.
GE-4 became fully operational on January 3, 2000 at 101° W.L., replacing Americom's Spacenet 4 spacecraft. The satellite meets the distribution needs of VSAT, business television, broadband data, and broadcast and cable customers. GE-4 carries twenty-four 36 MHz 110-watt Ku-band transponders providing 50 state, Canadian, Mexican, Caribbean and Central America coverage; each of these Ku-band transponders is individually switchable between North America and South America, fully supporting two-way communication throughout the Americas. In addition, GE-4 has four extended 72 MHz Ku-band transponders. GE-4 has twenty-four 36 MHz 20-watt C-band transponders, providing 50 state, Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean coverage. GE-4 C-band payload, along with the GE-1 C-band payload at 103°W.L., comprises GE Americom's Cable2 Neighborhood that reaches over 44 million U.S. cable households.
GE-8 is an all C-band satellite to be manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is an A2100 spacecraft design. The satellite will be launched by Arianespace in 4th Quarter 2000 into the 139° W.L. orbital position where it will provide coverage of all 50 states and the Caribbean. Becoming operational in early 2001, GE-8 will replace GE Americom's C-5 satellite now located in the same orbital position. The satellite features 24 transponders with 20 watt SSPAs and 16-for-12 redundancy. It is expected that several dozen major radio services as well as cable programming will reside on the satellite in addition to all of the telecommunications services of Alascom.
With over twenty years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and a leading provider of global satellite communications solutions. On consummation of the recently announced acquisition of Columbia Communications and integration of Columbia's transoceanic satellite capacity into GE Americom's global fleet, GE Americom will be able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. GE Americom currently operates twelve satellites providing services to North America. In addition, GE-1E provides service for European and Middle Eastern markets. With the recent operation of GE-4 and through NahuelSAt, an Argentine satellite operator, GE Americom provides satellite-based communications services throughout South and Latin America. And with the launch of GE-1A, scheduled for second quarter 2000, GE Americom will be able to deliver services into China, India and the large population centers of Northeast Asia. GE Americom's key customers include ABC Radio Networks, AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, Disney, Gannett, ICG, Merlin, NBC, the New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, SkyCache, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, Viacom and TimeWarner/Turner Broadcasting.
GE Americom is a GE Capital business. GE Capital, with assets of over US$300 billion, is a global, diversified financial services company with 28 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, GE Capital, based in Stamford, CT., provides equipment management, mid-market and specialized financing, specialty insurance and a variety of consumer services, such as car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards, to businesses and individuals around the world. GE is a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
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