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GE Americom Provides Satellite Links for New Asia-to-US Internet Access
Pacific Century, Worldcom and GE Americom Join to Deliver End-to-End Solution
June 28, 2001 – Hong Kong – GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) announced today that its GE Spacenet 4 satellite (SN4) at 172° E.L. and its South Mountain, California teleport have been contracted by Corporate Access, a Pacific Century Cyberworks (PCCW) company, and Worldcom, to provide two-way, high bandwidth satellite internet access between Taiwan and the U.S. The end customer for this multi-year trans-Pacific service is a Taiwan-based internet service provider.
In addition to the duplex DS3 channels on Spacenet 4, GE Americom’s southern California teleport is providing uplink, downlink and internet backbone interface to complete the connection between Taiwan and the US backbone. In Taiwan, the service is connected through the TAS teleport in Taipei.
GE Americom recently expanded its POR C-band capacity to accommodate the growing demand for trans-Pacific connectivity. Operating as of early March 2001 at 172° E.L., Spacenet 4 adds 24 transponders to the 12 provided by Americom’s TDRS- 5 satellite from 174° W.L. Both satellites primarily deliver transoceanic internet and data services.
Cynthia Dickins, Vice President of International Sales, said, "We are delighted that PCCW and Worldcom chose GE Americom’s trans-Pacific capabilities to complete their customer’s end-to-end solution." She continued, " As an interim service, TDRS-5 and SN-4 are hard to beat for connectivity and value. When GE-2i comes on-line in ‘03, customers like PCCW and our Quality Satellite Network (QSN) infrastructure partners will have the momentum to quickly convert additional opportunities arising from the enhanced power and reach of our next generation satellite."
David Manion, CEO of Corporate Access, said, "GE Americom’s satellite and California infrastructure are a perfect fit for our customer’s broadband internet requirement between Taiwan and the US. As our business and those of our customers expand throughout Asia-Pacific, we are pleased that Americom’s capacity will grow in step."
John Leung, managing director of GE Americom’s Hong Kong office, commented, "This contract demonstrates that the region needed alternative capacity to address the growing demands of multimedia and internet applications. Given the breadth of the Pacific Ocean, orbital locations which can truly bridge the US and Asia in a single hop are very few. With two satellites within that window, we are optimally positioned to provide high quality and highly efficient capacity."
Spacenet 4 features 12 narrowband (36 MHz) C-band transponders and 6 wideband (72 MHz) C-band transponders. From its 172° E.L. position its coverage areas include: Northern Pacific Rim, East Asia, Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. West Coast. Spacenet 4 is scheduled to be replaced by GE-2i in 2Q 2003.
About Corporate Access
In early 2001, Pacific Century Cyberworks (PCCW) completed the acquisition of Hutchison Corporate Access (HK) Ltd and began doing business as Corporate Access (HK) Ltd. Since its establishment in 1995, Corporate Access has built a successful business by providing satellite-based (VSAT) connectivity networks and services to companies operating in remote locations where terrestrial connectivity is not available or unreliable. Corporate Access currently operates hundreds of international circuits covering more than 50 countries worldwide, meeting the needs of its corporate clients in diverse industries with complete turnkey solutions.
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 20 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.
On March 28, 2001, GE Capital announced with SES Astra that it plans to combine the assets of GE Americom to form a new premier global satellite company, SES Global. The new company will have a fleet of 29 wholly-owned satellites and be able to deliver broadband satellites services to more than 90% of the world's population. In addition, SES Global’s strategic partnerships and participations in AsiaSat, NSAB, Star One, Americom Asia-Pacific and Nahuelsat will combine to give entertainment, Internet, news and enterprise customers access to a fleet of 42 satellites. When the transaction is finalized in late 2001, GE Capital will hold a 25.1% economic interest and 20.1% voting interest in SES Global S.A.
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
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