17 September 2000

Satcoms

Channel Master and US Monolithics Team To Market Broadband ODUs
Channel Master and US Monolithics have announced an agreement to co-operatively market their products as an integrated solution for subscriber outdoor equipment used in interactive satellite broadband delivery systems.

Under the terms of this non-exclusive agreement, Channel Master's Broadband Antenna, Antenna Sub-systems, Waveguide Components, and Low Noise Blockconverter technologies will be combined with US Monolithics' proprietary transceiver technologies. This single integrated solution will be jointly marketed and distributed through Channel Master's distribution network, offering customers the simplicity and savings of dealing with a single supplier.

Comsat Mobile and Tenzing Sign In-Flight Internet Deal
Comsat Mobile Communications (CMC), a business unit of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (LMGT), has signed a three-year satellite service agreement with Tenzing Communications Inc that allows Tenzing to offer its Tenzing OnBoard services over the CMC air-to-ground communications network.

The Tenzing OnBoard system will enable airline subscribers to use their laptop computers and existing e-mail accounts to send and receive messages while in-flight. In addition to sending and retrieving e-mail with attachments, customers will be able to browse Internet content while in-flight. In addition to the services offered onboard the aircraft, Tenzing provides terrestrial global roaming, Internet access and a frequent business traveller service program aimed at solving connectivity issues for frequent business travellers, no matter where they are on business.

Comsat Mobile Communications is a world leader in satellite communications for the airline industry and in collaboration with Tenzing, will facilitate the transfer of e-mail and Web services to and from commercial aircraft operating in-flight worldwide.

DeltaSat Chooses ViaCast Solution for Secure File Transfer
DeltaSat has selected ViaCast for its business-to-business Internet and e-Commerce solutions.

DeltaSat's solutions are targeted towards Fortune 500 companies throughout Europe, whose need for secure file transfers are paramount, and include services such as IP over satellite and data broadcast of streaming content to the desktop. Working with Paradigm, ViaCast's European partner and distributor, DeltaSat will stream end-user content via the DVB standard for encapsulating and the IP standard for transmission of broadband data over satellite.

Paradigm, will implement the end-to-end network solution through the installation of a Network Operations Center (NOC) at the British Telecom tower utilising ViaCast's IP-Companion high-speed DVB satellite routers.

DeltaSat is a new satellite operator providing a unique end-to-end secure satellite delivery service for thick content distribution and media casting for corporate networks throughout Europe. DeltaSat offers an open standards based platform that is fast, secure, efficient, and low cost. DeltaSat's service is designed to allow corporate customers to cost-effectively deliver their mission critical data securely using broadband satellite links that bypass expensive Internet and WAN/VPN terrestrial connections.

eSat and Intersputnik Partner for Internet Services
eSAT Inc has signed a memorandum of agreement with international satellite provider Intersputnik to provide broadband Internet infrastructure services in various regions served by Intersputnik's global GEO satellite network.

Intersputnik satellites will give eSAT the opportunity to test and deploy its recently announced satellite technology platform, Virtual Onboard Switching (VOS), in a demonstration of increasing the bandwidth efficiency and quality of service of current satellite systems.

VOS initially demonstrated increases in bandwidth efficiency of more than 50% in existing satellite systems, thereby potentially solving some of the Internet's most challenging global traffic problems.

In conjunction with initial deployments of eSAT's VOS technology on Intersputnik's satellite network, eSAT will also establish jointly with Intersputnik one or more regional holding companies throughout Intersputnik's coverage area that will market and sell eSAT wireless, broadband and managed network services.

The potential value to both organisations from the business and operating arrangement contemplated by this agreement will be assessed during the coming weeks.

Foundation Telecommunications Renews Transponder Agreement With SCOLA
Foundation Telecommunications Inc (FTI) has renewed its Transponder Agreements with the SCOLA - originally known as Satellite Communications for Learning - The agreement allows for one-way voice, video and data satellite broadcasts for each of the three SCOLA channels.

SCOLA programming is transmitted via the Telstar 5 satellite to downlink locations such as schools, colleges, universities, government and military installations, cable TV systems, independent TV stations, businesses and private individuals throughout North America and much of the Northern Western Hemisphere.

The Transponder Agreements are for a one-year period with provisions for automatic renewals. Each of the fulltime satellite transmissions of the voice, video and data broadcasts consist of a 1.536 Mb/s SCPC signal using Wegener digital equipment via Telstar 5.

All network encoders, transmitters and digital receivers are remotely controlled and status monitored by FTI from both it's corporate office in Rogers, Arkansas and it's Transponder Operations Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

SCOLA is a non-profit educational organisation transmitting international television programs to North America via the Telstar 5 satellite. SCOLA transmits three un-edited channels of programming in their original language(s). SCOLA One is News from 61 countries; SCOLA Two is Variety from many of those same countries; and SCOLA Three is Chinese Educational Programming.

Garuda-1 Hit By Antenna Problems
Lockheed Martin is reported to have discovered an anomaly in the antenna system of the Garuda 1 satellite during in orbit testing.

The problem will, apparently, limit the call handling capacity of the ACeS (Asia Cellular Satellite System) system, which began offering satellite based GSM type communications using the Garuda 1 satellite in late August. Garuda 1 was launched in February this year to GEO (118° E).

Lockheed Martin is still analysing the test data and has not yet published its findings. PSN has stated that if the capacity limitation is permanent, its impact is confined to an inability of the Garuda 1 satellite's antenna to use effectively all of the power available. As the satellite is operated below its original design capacity, it should perform in accordance with design specifications.

Garuda 1's antennas are the largest-ever produced for a commercial satellite and were manufactured by Harris Corporation. They consist of two separate, L Band transmit and receive antennas with 12 m unfurlable mesh reflectors, 88 feed elements generating 140 fixed beams and matrix amplifiers with 110 SSPAs of which 88 are active (one per feed).

GE Gets Approval for Satellite Shuffle
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorised GE Americom's plan to make modifications to its satellite fleet in order to better serve customers.

This includes:

• the launch and testing of GE-7 at 146° W;
• the operation of GE-7 at 137° W, in the slot currently occupied by C band Satcom C-1;
• the operation of Satcom C-1 at 141.5° W, on an temporary basis, pending replacement of the ageing Satcom C-5/Aurora II (a C band satellite at 139° W);
• the subsequently relocation of Satcom C-1 to 79° W;
• the launch and operation GE-8/Aurora III, a C band replacement satellite, at 139° W. GE-8/Aurora III will replace Satcom C-5/Aurora II.

HexTel to Use ViaCast Broadband Solution for Internet Services
HexTel Communications has chosen ViaCast's DVB/IP satellite solutions to bring its Internet and managed bandwidth services to telecommunications operators in Turkey, Pakistan, Middle East, and Africa and to HexTel's Internet Cafes.

HexTel aims to provide the highest quality of service into these regions using ViaCast's technology to connect them to European and US fibre networks, via its own landing stations in London and Frankfurt. The initial network will consist of one Hub station in London and two types of remote stations - a receive-only and those with a 64 kb/s return channel. The network Hub is based on ViaCast's Forte gateway, while the remote stations will utilise ViaCast's IP-Companion high-speed DVB satellite routers.

Using ViaCast's Forte Gateway and Maestro network management system, will allow HexTel's customers (in-country ISPs) to offer their own DVB/IP services independently of others, while giving HexTel overall command of the service network. HexTel customers will be able to market, price, manage and control a DVB/IP service to their end customers through their own facilities. This service will allow ISPs to maintain and grow this important market sector rather than transferring their most valuable customers to overseas DVB/IP providers.

The agreement will enable customers to broadcast services to as many end users as they wish, while maintaining control and quality. It will also extend the reach of local providers and offer much higher throughput than conventional leased lines.

More Globecomm Contracts
Globecomm Systems Inc has been awarded five contracts with an aggregate value of approximately US$ 2.3 million, for the design, installation and integration of satellite earth station infrastructure in the United States, Bosnia, Israel, Kenya and Brazil.

Highlights of these contracts include the following:

Kenya: Globecomm Systems has been awarded an end-to-end communications service contract including the supply and integration of a Compact Earth Station (CES) to be located in Nairobi, Kenya, and space segment on a New Skies Satellite. This end-to-end customised solution connects Kenya to the global Internet backbone through a point of presence in the UK.

United States: Globecomm Systems has been awarded a contract by a provider of satellite monitor and control systems for the design and supply of a specialised GEO/LEO Satellite Earth Station. This earth station will be used by the customer for marketing demonstrations via a live satellite feed, and as a test-bed for emerging technologies.

Bosnia: Globecomm Systems has been awarded a contract by a multilateral organisation for the supply of several Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) with 5-watt transceivers. This equipment will replace existing equipment that has become obsolete while also maintaining compatibility with the organisation's other telecommunications' systems.

Israel: Globecomm Systems has been awarded a contract by a broadcasting company for the upgrade of existing equipment from analogue to digital, at a broadcast centre in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Brazil: Globecomm Systems has been awarded a contract by a leading telecommunications company for additional satellite earth station equipment that will increase the capabilities of satellite systems previously supplied by Globecomm Systems. This upgrade will enable the customer to expand video programming distribution services being offered to its clients.

New ICO Upgrades Satellites
Hughes Space and Communications Company (HSC) is to build at least three more satellites for New ICO (formerly ICO Global Communications.

In addition, HSC will modify 11 other spacecraft currently in production for the revamped New ICO system. The spacecraft modifications will assist in the enhancement of the New ICO constellation to provide high-quality voice and packet-data services. New ICO expects to begin service in 2003.

Financial terms of the new contract orders and spacecraft modifications were not disclosed, and New ICO will make launch vehicle arrangements for the additional satellites separately.

HSC's original contract to manufacture 12 ICO satellites was awarded in July 1995. The ICO satellite design is one of the most complex ever undertaken by HSC and incorporates a number of unique design features. The satellites carry more computing power than 600 Pentium III-based computers; feature innovative transmit and receive antennas allowing direct air link to users; and use a so-called "smart processor" that is capable of adapting beam configuration to match usage and make the most efficient use of the bandwidth available. These features give New ICO unprecedented flexibility to meet ever-changing market demands on a global basis.

Telecom Out, Stellat In
France Telecom has announced that it will not launch a third generation of satellites to replace the four satellites in the Telecom 2 series

The France Telecom group intends to refocus on the role of satellite services provider and to detach itself from the launch and operation of satellites. It is reported to be looking for alliances to ensure the continuity of Telecom 2 satellites' services.

A first agreement has been signed with the Eutelsat for the management of the Telecom 2A satellite, enabling Eutelsat to use the Telecom 2A and 2D orbit positions when their operational life duration is over.

A second agreement is currently being finalised with Alcatel Space for the construction of a high speed Internet access satellite, to be operated by Alcatel.

France Telecom and Alcatel affiliate Europe*Star have formed a satellite venture, Stellat, in which they intend to invest 250 million Euro over the next two years. Stellat will launch, manage and market a new communications satellite that will replace Telecom 2B at 5° E and be a member of the Loral Global Alliance.

France Telecom will hold a 70% stake in the Stellat joint venture, whilst Europe*Star will hold 30%.

London-based satellite operator, Europe*Star is owned by Alcatel Spacecom (53%) and Loral Space and Communications (43%).

Stellat's satellite will offer C and Ku band, conventional broadcast services as well as two-way Internet. It will cover most of Europe and Africa. The 35 Ku band 35 transponders will cover Europe and Northern Africa, offering video services and two-way Internet. The 10 C band transponders will cover Europe, Africa and the East coast of North America. This capacity will mainly be used for transatlantic traffic. Current Telecom 2B customers will be transferred to Stellat, which is scheduled for launch in April 2002. The satellite will be built by Alcatel Space Industries using the Spacebus 3000 B3 platform.

ViaCast Supplies Solution for Satworks' Multimedia Network
Satworks, an international service provider based in Copenhagen, Denmark, has selected ViaCast's broadband solutions for its multimedia delivery satellite services.

Paradigm, ViaCast's European partner and distributor, will supply Satworks with ViaCast's Forte encapsulators, and IP-Companion and Quantum-MSR satellite multimedia receivers.

Satworks intends to launch a satellite-delivered multimedia network to fulfil the rising customer demands in Europe and Africa. Satworks will target the enterprise market with two-way broadband satellite solutions, as well as hybrid solutions that will "turbo-charge" existing cable-based enterprise WANs. This will allow for implementation of new media-rich e-learning and IP multicast applications not previously manageable on existing enterprise Intranets.

The uplink or gateway for Satworks' multimedia delivery services will include the ViaCast Forte encapsulator, which will enable the transmission of compressed DVB/MPEG 2 video, and audio programming, as well as DVB/IP multicast and unicast data files. Satworks will use two types of ViaCast receiver/routers for its network. For IP datacasting-only applications, Satworks will use ViaCast's IP-Companion, and for IP, video and audio applications, Satworks will use ViaCast's integrated Quantum-MSR multimedia satellite receiver.

Navigation

Upgrading GPS Block IIR
The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems a US$ 53 million contract to begin development of modernisation changes for up to 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR satellites.

The GPS IIRs will be modified to incorporate, among other improvements, a second civil signal and two new military signals, thus providing military and civilian users of the navigation system a system with improved capabilities much sooner than previously envisioned.

In addition to new military and civilian signals, the GPS IIR modifications will include increased signal power and the ability to reprogram signals and power on orbit. These improvements will provide for improved accuracy and better resistance to jamming.

Work on this development contract will be performed at the Space Systems, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, facility. Anticipated contract completion date is September 2001. The US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, California, is the contracting agency.

GPS IIR program officials noted that a waveform generator, developed by ITT Industries, is a key element of the GPS IIR modernisation. The generator adds a new military and civilian channel to the satellite using a single broadcast carrier wave. Additionally, a more efficient high power amplifier, controlled through the waveform generator, can add power to the military signal when there is a need to overcome jamming.

Previously, the Air Force plan called for launching the remaining 16 GPS IIR satellites as a replenishment to the older Block IIA's now on orbit and then begin modernising the GPS constellation in 2005. Under that plan, a fully modernised GPS constellation would not be on orbit until about 2015.

Military Space

Wideband Gapfiller Satellite from Hughes
Hughes Space and Communications (HSC) has announced that it has proposed a system solution consisting of several high-power, high-capacity satellites, with associated spacecraft and payload control segments, to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program.

Hughes leads the team that will design and manufacture a Wideband Gapfiller Satellite system that is readily integrated within the existing infrastructure, is easily operated by military personnel, and is responsive to warfighter needs across the broad spectrum of operations in peacetime and conflict situations. The team includes Harris Corp; ITT Industries; Logicon; SAIC and The Boeing Co.

Science

ESA Selects Beagle 2 Landing Site
The European Space Agency has selected a landing location for the upcoming Beagle 2 mission to Mars which will piggy back on the Mars Express spacecraft when it is launched in 2003.

The selected landing site is in the Isidis Basin, near the Martian equator. On the surface, Beagle 2 will analyse the air, sample the soil, and attempt to detect life on the planet.

NASA Cuts Pluto Mission
Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on the Pluto-Kuiper spacecraft have been told that the mission has been cancelled.

The cost saving move was not unexpected and has been predicted for some time as NASA searched for ways to finance plans for the exploration of Mars following a series of embarrassing failures. A money strapped NASA will redirect the freed resources to the forthcoming Europa mission as well as a redesigned Pluto mission. JPL engineers had been working on the Pluto-Kuiper Express (KPE) mission for a decade.

NASA hopes to send an alternative mission to Pluto in 2020.

Manned Space

NBC Buys "Destination Mir"
NBC is to pay US$ 35 to 40 million for the rights to the reality TV series "Destination Mir" which will launch the winner of the game show into space for a short stay on the Mir space station.

The show will follow the contestants through cosmonaut training over 13 to 15 weekly episodes, each week the Russian training team will send one contestant home. The final episode will see a winner selected and launched into space.

NBC is reported to be planning to broadcast the series beginning in the autumn of 2001, with the final episode and launch being in spring 2002.

Launch Services

Ariane 5 Order for Astrium
Astrium has signed a 100 millions Euro contract to provide Arianespace with 15 EPS storable propellant upper stages for the Ariane 5 launcher.

Included in this agreement are 10 firm orders with five options, which should be delivered before the end of the year.

In addition, Astrium should receive, before the end of the year, an order on several combustion chambers for the Vulcain main engine of the European Ariane 5 launcher.

Intelsat Selects Ariane for Three Launches
Intelsat's Board of Governors has approved the award of a contract to Arianespace for the launch of three additional Intelsat IX satellites.

With this contract, Arianespace will launch the Intelsat 905, 906, and 907 spacecraft on Ariane 44L or Ariane 5 launch vehicles, starting late next year and continuing through 2002. Arianespace already has been contracted to launch the Intelsat 901, 902 and 904 satellites throughout 2001, with the first launch expected in the second quarter of 2001.

Space Systems/Loral Chooses Sea Launch for Telstar 8
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has signed an agreement with Sea Launch to launch the Telstar-8 satellite in 2002.

Sea Launch's Zenit-3SL will lift the 5500 kg Telstar-8 satellite to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit from the Odyssey Launch Platform, which is positioned on the equator at 154 degrees West Longitude.

Built by SS/L for Loral Skynet, Telstar-8 is one of the most powerful communications satellites ever designed. It is the first to be built on SS/L's extended 1300 bus and will carry 92 transponders with a total end-of-life power of 16 kW. The payload will include Ku band, C band, and Ka band transponders, providing coverage across North and South America.

Launches

Astra 2B, GE-7

Launched: 14 September 2000
Site: CSG Kourou, French Guiana
Launcher: Ariane 5

Orbit: GEO, 28.2° E
International Number: 2000-054A
Name: Astra 2B
Owner: Société Européenne des Satellites (SES)
Contractor: Astrium

Orbit: GEO, 146° W
International Number: 2000-054B
Name: GE-7
Owner: GE Americom
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space

Astra 2B is a communications satellite. It carries 30 Ku band transponders, each with a 109 W TWTA. It has a design life of 15 years and will be co-located with Astra 2A.

GE-7 is also a communications satellite. It carries 24 C band transponders, each with a 20 W HPA.

Business

eSAT Opens European Office
eSAT Inc has opened an office in Vienna, Austria. The new office will serve as a base of operations for eSAT's continued growth in the European market.

Heading the Vienna office will be Leon Shpilsky who joined eSAT earlier this year as senior vice president and managing director of European operations. Shpilsky will initially concentrate his efforts on developing strategic relationships and alliances with major European telecommunications companies in order to expand eSAT's operations and business interests in Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

GE Completes Acquisition of Columbia Communications
GE American Communications Inc (GE Americom), a GE Capital company, has closed its acquisition of Columbia Communications Corporation (Columbia).

The acquisition adds transoceanic capacity to GE Americom's international fleet, globally connecting its satellites to deliver service in the Americas, Europe, and, with the soon-to-be-launched GE-1A, Asia. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

GE Americom also announced that Alcatel Space is building four satellites, currently designated as GE-1i ,GE-2i, GE-3i and GE-4i, to replace and expand the Columbia spacecraft fleet. GE Americom's capacity expansion over the Atlantic will support Internet backbone access and other services and the growth and connectivity requirements of its large media customers. Service will focus on traffic between North America and South America, Europe and South America, North America and Africa, and Europe and Africa. The expansion over the Pacific will serve growing demand for US-based programming throughout the Pacific Rim and the need to transport Internet content into, within and out of the region.

With the integration of the 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. Through GE-4 and Nahuelsat SA, 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 October 2000, GE Americom will be able to deliver services into China, India and the large population centres of Northeast Asia.

Gilat-To-Home Changes Name
Gilat-To-Home Inc has changed its name to StarBand Communications Inc.

The company's high-speed satellite Internet service for consumers is now known as StarBand.

HNS Makes Investment in ChinaCast Technology
Hughes Network Systems (HNS) today announced that it has made a significant investment in ChinaCast Technology (BVI) Limited (CCT) of Hong Kong, a provider of broadband Internet infrastructure in China.

Incorporated in 1999 with headquarters in Beijing and Hong Kong, CCT is working closely with ChinaCast Co., Ltd. (CCL) to offer the Turbo163 service in China. Turbo163 is China's first nationwide satellite-based broadband Internet service. Launched in July 2000, Turbo163 is based on HNS' DirecPC technology that enables users to access the Internet at a high-speed downstream data rate of 400 Kb/s and to receive broadcast data at a rate of 3 Mb/s. CCL will be able to offer a variety of advanced broadband services to both the enterprise and consumer markets.

Orbcomm Files for Chapter 11 Protection
Orbcomm Global LP (Orbcomm) has announced that it and seven of its subsidiaries have filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware as part of its efforts to restructure and reorganise its business.

Orbcomm is committed to maintaining and operating its network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and related ground facilities while it restructures its operations. It is expected that the Orbcomm network will remain in full operation for customers and business partners around the world during this process.

Orbcomm has retained Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (DLJ) to advise the company on various recapitalisation alternatives and assist in discussions with its bondholders. The company has been in discussions with an informal bondholders committee, representing in excess of 60% of the outstanding principal amount of Orbcomm's senior notes. Orbcomm expects to continue discussions with representatives of the bondholders while Orbcomm is in Chapter 11. In addition, Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital) has retained Bear, Stearns & Co Inc to explore financing alternatives for Orbcomm.

As major elements of Orbcomm's restructuring, an affiliate of Teleglobe Inc (Teleglobe) has agreed to extend to Orbcomm a total of US$ 17 million in interim debt financing as previously announced, US$ 8 million of which has already been provided through a secured loan. The balance of this financing will provide the company with short-term liquidity for the next few months and is expected to be provided as debtor-in-possession financing. Orbcomm has also implemented a new business plan that involves reduced operating and capital expenditures and a simplified distribution strategy that focuses on its top-tier customers in key vertical markets and the distribution of its services through indirect sales channels, including its value-added resellers and international licensees. Finally, Orbcomm's partners, Teleglobe and Orbital, have indicated that they are prepared to convert their outstanding debt into equity in Orbcomm in connection with the completion of new equity investment.

Privatised Intelsat to Call Washington Home
Intelsat's Board of Governors has decided that the privatised Intelsat service company will be located in the United States, and finalised recommendations on most other outstanding privatisation issues.

These decisions, and a complete privatisation plan, are expected to be approved by the Intelsat Assembly of Parties in November, with privatisation expected to take place by 1 April 2001.

The Board formally confirmed that Intelsat Ltd, a private international holding company and successor to Intelsat, will be based in Bermuda. A wholly-owned service company, known as Intelsat, will be based at the current headquarters building in Washington DC. The US Federal Communications Commission agreed in August to authorise licenses for all current and planned satellites operating in the C and Ku bands, once Intelsat is privatised. These licenses will be held by a related US-based company called Intelsat LLC, wholly-owned by Intelsat Ltd of Bermuda.

The UK was selected by the Board as a second jurisdiction for Intelsat Ltd's orbital filings in the Ka, V and BSS bands. The UK will also serve as a back-up authorising jurisdiction for the C and Ku band satellites, should the terms of the US license approval be adversely affected prior to privatisation.

The majority of current employees and operations will remain in Washington, subject to conclusion of immigration relief for non-US resident employees. This visa relief is a condition precedent to the privatisation of Intelsat.

On corporate governance, the Board recommended that Intelsat Ltd adopt a fiduciary board structure with strict objectives, including: 1) meeting major stock exchange and business requirements; 2) maintaining adequate continuity; and 3) maintaining geographical diversity.

The initial board of Intelsat Ltd will have a term of two years and will be elected by current shareholders. It will have 17 members, including up to eight from the current investor base, at least eight independent directors and the CEO. Intelsat's current investors include telecom and broadcasting companies from around the world.

An initial public offering of Intelsat Ltd stock is expected to take place within one year of privatisation, as earlier announced by Intelsat.

Telenor Acquires Inmarsat Shares from LMGT
Telenor is to acquire approximately one-third of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications' (LMGT) stake in Inmarsat Ventures Limited.

Following the transaction, LMGT's stake in Inmarsat will be reduced from just over 22% to approximately 14%, while Telenor's stake will be increased from 6.8 to 15% and make Telenor the largest shareholder in the satellite organisation.

From its position as one of the leading players in the mobile satellite business and one of the largest owners of Inmarsat, Telenor is now strengthening its position further by increasing its ownership in Inmarsat.

WAVO Sells Satellite Delivery Division to Cidera
WAVO Corporation has entered into an agreement to sell its satellite network division to privately held Cidera Inc for US$ 14.5 million.

Terms of the agreement include Cidera purchasing all of the assets of this division for US$ 12 million in cash, US$ 2.5 million in Cidera common stock and the assumption of certain liabilities.

In addition, the agreement calls for Cidera to enter into a service agreement with WAVO to utilise WAVO's MediaXpress service to provide Internet-based media delivery services for select Cidera customers. Details of this agreement will be disclosed at closing.

Products and Services

Digital Watermark Preserves Lip-Synch
Tektronix are to introduce the AVDC100 which provides the world's first solution to automatically detect and correct Audio-to-Video delay errors in digital video.

Delay errors, known as A/V delay or lip-sync error is a broadcasting industry-wide problem that has plagued digital video professionals since the introduction of digital TV and which puts the sound and vision out of sync.

The AVDC100 solves the problem by applying a digital "watermark" of the audio content to the video signal near the point of audio/video content creation. As the watermark is analysed later in the distribution chain, the AVDC100 measures the A/V delay error and automatically or manually corrects A/V timing errors by adjusting the audio delay.

In field trials, a watermarked signal was beamed during live broadcast via satellite from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, then corrected for A/V delay errors. The watermark remained visually undetectable in the video signal. In addition, the watermark withstood compression and decompression in MPEG-2, motion JPEG used in disk recording, conversion among composite analogue, component analogue and digital formats, low-pass analogue filtering, and cascading of compressed formats.

The AVDC100 will be available for order before the end of the calendar year with expected delivery in the first quarter of 2001. The dual function AVDC100 (combined encoder and decoder in single unit) is priced starting at US$ 6490 per unit.

Orblynx Launches Internet Service on Eutelsat
Orblynx Inc, a leading global Internet content distribution company, has launched its IDSweb service throughout the coverage area of the Eutelsat Hotbird satellites, including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Orblynx will use the Hotbird satellites to transmit Internet content via IDSweb to its carrier and ISP customers, reducing their reliance on congested terrestrial Internet lines and improving their ability to deliver high-quality broadband content to end users.

Its agreement with Eutelsat makes Orblynx the only Internet content distributor that is able to access 45 cm dishes in Europe. The ability to utilise small dishes lowers deployment costs and enables Orblynx to set up service quickly for ISPs and carriers throughout the continent.

With the introduction of cable modems and DSL, customer expectations for faster Web performance and high-quality streaming media place a tremendous amount of pressure on ISPs. Orblynx's Internet overlay technology eases this demand by using satellites to transmit content via a single-hop delivery system, utilising intelligent caching, multicasting and content management.

IDSweb, Orblynx's premium service distributes HTTP-based web content from content publishers to multiple subscribing carriers and ISPs. This service guarantees ISPs at least a 50% decrease in Internet bandwidth usage while dramatically boosting Web access speeds for subscribers. Orblynx has already signed over 35 ISP and carrier customers in 28 countries around the globe, including British Telecom Broadcast Services.

Earlier this year, Orblynx received a commitment for US$ 50 million in funding from major North American private equity institutions including Madison Dearborn Partners, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity and Spectrum Equity Investors.

People

Astrolink Appoints Mark McKnight as Vice President of New Technologies
Astrolink International LLC has announced that Mark McKnight will join its senior management team as VP of New Technologies.

McKnight will be responsible for all terrestrial network planning and engineering. This will specifically take into account infrastructure, operational support, and integration of existing data network technologies. Additionally, McKnight will be responsible for identifying and implementing emerging technologies that Astrolink must be prepared to incorporate or exploit.

eSAT CEO Leaves
eSAT Inc, a leading broadband service provider offering and integrating satellite, wireless and managed network solutions, has announced that Michael Palmer is no longer serving as chief executive officer of the company.

eSAT's Board of Directors has appointed current chairman Chester (Chet) Noblett as interim chief executive officer, pending a search for a permanent chief executive officer.

New CEO For Andrew Corporation
Andrew Corporation has announced that Guy M. Campbell has been named Chief Executive Officer of the global supplier of communications equipment and services effective October 1.

Campbell joined Andrew in February 1999 as the Group President, Wireless Products and Distributed Communications Systems and was made President in February 2000.

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