Mobile Satellite Ventures Engages Boeing To Develop
Next Generation Satellites
Boeing to Construct the World's Most Powerful
Transparency Class Satellites to Blanket the Western Hemisphere
Reston, Va., January 11, 2006
Reston, Va. - January 11, 2006 – Mobile Satellite
Ventures (MSV) and Boeing (NYSE:BA) today announced that they have entered into
a contract for the construction and delivery of three next generation L-band
satellites. These satellites, among the most powerful commercial satellites ever
built, will form the backbone of an advanced commercial telecommunications
network being developed by MSV and its Canadian joint venture partner, MSV
Canada.
The network will be based on MSV’s patented Ancillary
Terrestrial Component (ATC) technology, which combines the best of satellite and
cellular technology. It will deliver reliable, advanced and ubiquitous voice and
data coverage throughout North and South America.
“The agreement with Boeing solidifies our commitment to
building a ubiquitous network that provides seamless coverage to our end users
in North and South America. We are excited at the prospect of completing this
paradigm-shifting project ahead of schedule and to provide improved service in
both rural and urban areas, eliminating the telecommunications divide,” said
Alexander H. Good, Vice Chairman and CEO of MSV. “Boeing is an excellent partner
for our next stage of development. Their 40-year heritage in the satellite
industry and vast experience in the mobile satellite arena, brings with it a
wealth of experience and reliability that will prove invaluable in the
construction of our next generation satellites.”
“MSV is creating a critical communications asset
representing a huge step forward for mobile satellite services,” said Howard
Chambers, Vice President of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “In addition to
providing mobile service to users in the most remote regions, Boeing technology
deployed by MSV will keep lines of communication open for first responders in
times of natural disasters. Our focus on building powerful and highly complex
satellites will deliver instantaneous access and mobility anywhere on the
continent.”
Building upon proven and reliable technology from
predecessor satellites, including the powerful Boeing 702 infrastructure, the
satellites will be among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites
ever built. Each satellite’s primary antenna will be almost 75 feet across,
about twice as large as any previous commercial satellite. In addition to
covering the Americas with hundreds of spot beams, the satellites will use MSV’s
patented ATC technology to deliver service to wireless devices that are
virtually identical to cell phone handsets in terms of aesthetics, cost and
functionality.
With ATC, the satellites work in tandem with
terrestrial based stations that provide coverage and capacity in urban areas
where satellite signals are frequently blocked. The contract with Boeing also
provides for the delivery of the related ground based beam forming system and
other ground design elements, to provide the most advanced beam forming
flexibility and interference cancellation unprecedented in commercial satellite
systems. These technological advances will allow MSV optimal deployment of its
ATC technology and spectrum utilization.
“This agreement for the construction of the state of
the art L-band system marks the beginning of an exciting new era for mobile
communications in Canada and the United States,” said Larry J. Boisvert,
Chairman of MSV Canada. “It demonstrates the commitment of MSV and MSV Canada to
bring the most advanced wireless services to the regions of the western
hemisphere.”
The contract provides for the delivery of MSV-1 and
MSV-2, which will replace and expand upon the current MSAT satellite system
operated by MSV and MSV Canada. Like the MSAT satellites, the MSV-1 and MSV-2
satellites will cover Canada, the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean Basin, as well as Mexico. The
third satellite, MSV-SA will introduce MSV’s advanced communications services
into South America.
Boeing will build the spacecraft bus infrastructure,
based on the world’s most powerful satellite – the Boeing 702. It will supply
11,000 Watts of power through 5-panel solar array wings using highly efficient
triple-junction Gallium arsenide cells. Boeing will build upon a quarter-century
heritage of integrating and deploying L-band technology. The 22 meter L-band
reflector for mobile terminal links will complement a 1.5 meter Ku-band antenna.
The spacecraft will also be equipped with a qualified
digital channelizer that maximizes spectrum allocation. With the constellation
of MSV-1, MSV-2, and MSV-SA, Boeing will provide the technology that will enable
MSV to offer their customers advanced mobile services using small, handheld
terminals interoperable with terrestrial terminals.
The signing of this contract kicks off, ahead of
schedule, the regulatory construction milestone requirements for the satellites.
The satellites are expected to be launched in 2009 and 2010.
About Mobile Satellite Ventures
Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV) is at the forefront
of the development of the first hybrid satellite-cellular communications
network, which will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless
coverage of North America to conventional handsets. It has extensive patents on
the technology and holds the first and only FCC license to provide these
services. Along with its Canadian joint venture partner, MSV Canada, MSV plans
to launch two satellites for North American coverage, which will be among the
largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever built. When completed, the
network will transform communications in a variety of areas including public
safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by
providing interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed
data services. MSV received the first ATC license granted by the FCC, marking a
new era for the mobile satellite industry.
Today MSV offers customers a wide choice of wireless
data, voice, fax and dispatch radio services via the two MSAT satellites. It
provides superior capacity and reliability across North America, northern South
America, Central America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and their coastal waters.
MSV is privately held and its primary investors include
Motient Corporation (Pink Sheets: MNCP), SkyTerra Communications (OTC: SKYT),
TMI Communications, Columbia Capital, and Spectrum Equity Investors. # # #