GE AMERICOM AND GLOBECOMM SYSTEMS ENTER INTO BROAD-BASED COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Agreement Represents Globecomm's Commitment to Next Generation Transoceanic Satellites
February 28, 2001 - Princeton, NJ
GE American Communications (GE Americom) and Globecomm Systems announced today that they have established a broad cooperative agreement to provide facilitated access to each other's key global resources. In addition, they announced that Globecomm has made a pre-launch commitment for bulk bandwidth on two of GE Americom's next-generation transoceanic, GEi ("international") satellites, located in strategic orbital locations over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The Cooperation Agreement provides for GE Americom to leverage Globecomm's terrestrial infrastructure, "internet in a box" plug-and-play technologies and systems design expertise to provide a broad range of satellite-based technical services to customers worldwide. Similarly, the Agreement allows Globecomm to enjoy enhanced access to GE Americom's rapidly expanding fleet of satellites, and establishes Globecomm among the founding members of GE Americom's Quality Satellite Network (QSN). Formed in 2000, the QSN is a worldwide alliance of premier infrastructure owners/operators who share a commitment to providing quality-based services compatible with GE's rigorous Six Sigma standards.
The signing ceremony at Americom's headquarters in Princeton, NJ, formalized Globecomm's commitment to a full transponder on both GE-1i and GE-2i. Planned for launch in 2003 at 47º West over the Atlantic and 172º East over the Pacific respectively, GE-1i and GE-2i will connect GE Americom's prime landmass-based satellites serving Asia, Europe and the Americas. The two large C-band satellites are under construction by Alcatel, and are based on the Spacebus 4000 platform. The satellites are scheduled for launch by International Launch Services from either the Baikonur cosmodrome or the Cape Canaveral space launch complex. GE-1i will feature 72 x 36 MHz C-band transponders providing high-powered flexible coverage of Europe, Africa, North and South America. GE-2i will feature a 60 transponder 36 MHz C-band payload with coverage of Asia Pacific, Australia and Western U.S. including Hawaii and Alaska.
Commenting on the signing of the Agreement, Andreas Georghiou, GE Americom's Senior Vice President of Global Satellite Services, said "We are pleased that Globecomm, one of the most fully integrated services organizations in the satellite industry, has expressed such great confidence in our next generation spacecraft." Georghiou continued, "We are very pleased to be associated with a recognized industry leader and congratulate Globecomm's Long Island Teleport on being distinguished by the World Teleport Association as the Operating Teleport of the Year."
Cynthia Dickins, GE Americom's Vice President for International Sales, added, "Through this Agreement, Globecomm and GE Americom can literally plug into each others' networks to optimize our response to customers' needs. Our Agreement encourages our teams to leverage each others' strengths to meet customers' quality and service expectations more quickly and in more places."
David Hershberg, Globecomm's Chairman and CEO, commented "We are excited about Americom's next generation of satellites and this opportunity to extend our entwined heritage as two pioneer companies in the satellite industry. As currently framed by GE Americom, QSN offers great promise and we are delighted to work with our colleagues at Americom and within the QSN to shape this remarkable global services alliance."
About Globecomm Systems
Globecomm Systems provides end-to-end, value-added satellite-based communications services, and satellite ground segment systems and networks, which support a wide range of satellite communications applications. The company's majority-owned NetSat Express subsidiary is a leader in providing end-to-end satellite-based Internet solutions around the world. Currently, NetSat Express offers start-up and expanding ISPs and other enterprises a wide range of solutions, including Internet backbone connectivity, network applications, back-office capabilities, POP infrastructure, Web hosting and network management services. Both Globecomm Systems' and NetSat Express' customers include communication service providers, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers, content providers and government entities. Based in Hauppauge, New York, Globecomm Systems also maintains offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
About GE Americom
With over twenty-five years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and leading provider of global satellite communications services. GE Americom is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world through a fleet of 21 satellites. GE Americom's key customers include ABC Radio Networks, AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Cidera, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, Disney, Gannett, ICG, Merlin, NBC, the New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, Viacom and TimeWarner/Turner Broadcasting.
GE Americom is a GE Capital business. With assets of over US$370 billion, GE Capital is a global, diversified financial services company comprised of 24 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company, GE Capital based in Stamford, Conn., 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
+1-609-987-4143
Andy Melfi
+1-631-231-9800
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