|
Geocast Selects GE-4 Satellite to Launch New Service
April 9, 2000 - Princeton, NJ
GE American Communications (GE Americom) announced today that California-based Geocast Network Systems, Inc. (Geocast) will be distributing its new rich-media program service that delivers high-quality audio-visual and interactive content to the PC desktop via the GE-4 satellite. The companies are entering into a multi-year commitment for the Ku-band service to distribute Geocast programming into most of North America, subject to finalizing definitive terms.
"We are delighted to be selected as Geocast's inaugural satellite service provider. We expect that Geocast's extraordinary value to the consumer will be recognized early, and that the demand for their programming, and in parallel our satellite distribution support outside North America, will expand rapidly," said Andreas Georghiou, GE Americom's Senior Vice President, Global Satellite Service.
Charlie Jablonski, vice president, network operations and engineering, Geocast Network Systems stated "As we prepare to launch Geocast, GE Americom's highest-in the-industry availability and the robust technical features of GE-4 marry up perfectly with our service plans to deliver rich-media to hundreds of thousands of PCs throughout the continent."
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 fifty state, Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean coverage. GE-4 C-band transponders, along with the GE-1 C-band payload at 103°W.L., is the home of GE Americom's Cable2 Neighborhood that reaches over 45 million U.S. cable households.
With headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Geocast Network Systems, Inc. is building a new national distribution network that leverages digital broadcast infrastructure to deliver personalized rich-media information and programming to the PC desktop. Geocast has developed agreements with leaders in the broadcast, programming and consumer electronics industries. These partnerships include Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., Electronic Arts, Belo Corp., Liberty Media Group, THOMSON multimedia, Allbritton Communications and Royal Philips Electronics For more information, visit the Geocast website at http://www.geocast.com. 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 is committed to the delivery of satellite-based communications services throughout South and Latin America. And with the launch of GE-1A, scheduled for fourth 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, Cidera, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, Disney, Gannett, Gilat, ICG, Merlin, NBC, the New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner/Turner Broadcasting and Viacom.
GE Americom is a GE Capital business. GE Capital, with assets of over US$345 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
NAB Booth # T1150, 702-691-8636
|
