Eutelsat and SpeedCast Further Expand Coverage of Their Maritime Broadband Service With Multiple Regional Beams

MONACO, September 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world's leading satellite operators, and SpeedCast Limited, a leading satellite telecommunications service provider, today announced that they have further expanded the reach of their regional maritime broadband service, with the extension of their 60 cm coverage to include the Mediterranean region.

The 60 cm service is part of Eutelsat and SpeedCast's overall global maritime broadband network, which is one of the most widely deployed VSAT offerings in the world. In addition to the 60 cm Ku-band systems, the global network includes 1 m Ku-band and 2.4 m C-band systems. The smaller form factor 60 cm marine antenna is ideally suited for small-to-mid-sized vessels such as yachts, fishing, and coast guard vessels, which operate along coastlines and regional waters. The smaller size and lighter weight of the 60 cm marine antenna better meets the needs of these vessels and allows for a lower investment.

The expansion of Mediterranean coverage for the 60 cm service complements SpeedCast and Eutelsat's coverage plans which include the Caribbean, South East Asia, Middle East & India, East Asia & China, and Australian regions. Customers benefit from this broad range of coverage with the ability to utilize the service in multiple regions.

Customers of the 60 cm service also enjoy all of the same benefits as the advanced technologies used for the larger 1 m Ku-band and 2.4 m C-band antenna systems. They include DVB-S2 encoding for bandwidth optimization and Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) for optimized power utilization and consistent performance in all weather conditions.

Customers can also leverage SpeedCast and Eutelsat's advanced monitoring and asset tracking solution, named "SMART" (SpeedCast's Monitoring And Reporting Tools). This value-added-service allows vessel tracking, network management, service level performance monitoring and more. SMART can be accessed securely from any location via a Web-based network management portal, for greater visibility and control of customers' fleet and business.

Finally, customers can benefit from a broad range of additional services for their critical communication needs. SpeedCast and Eutelsat offer a wealth of value added services designed for maritime customers, and optimized for satellite-based communications. These services include SpeedTalk, an optimized VOIP service, SpeedCam, a secure remote video surveillance service, and SpeedStar, a WAN optimization service.

"Addressing the high market demand from ship-owners for extended coverage in the Mediterranean for the 60 cm service, was a further important step for Eutelsat and SpeedCast. This demand demonstrates how VSAT services are now fully integrated as a core solution in the regional maritime broadband market."

Laurent PAUL

Director, Maritime Services, Eutelsat

"With the expansion of our 60cm maritime service to include the Mediterranean, we provide our customers operating smaller vessels and antennas, with more regional beams to enjoy the service in different part of the world. In addition to the Caribbean and several other regions in Asia, customers now have a wide choice of multiple regional beams to operate in. Together with our global roaming 1m maritime service, customers on our network have the greatest choice of service plans, equipment and operating regions to accommodate all budgets."

Nick DUKAKIS

Vice President for Maritime & Offshore Services, SpeedCast

SpeedCast Ltd. is a leading satellite telecommunications service provider that offers high-quality managed networks services in over 35 countries in Asia, Middle East and Africa. With 10 international points of presence and 7-teleport-operations, it boasts a unique infrastructure to serve corporate and carriers' requirements. Operating over 10 VSAT platforms SpeedCast has developed a strong operations expertise and an efficient support organization, which are at the root of SpeedCast's success. Leveraging the latest satellite technologies, SpeedCast has taken leadership positions in Asia in the provision of reliable and efficient network services to key industries like Cellular networks, Maritime, Banking or Oil & Gas. SpeedCast Ltd is also a pioneer in the delivery of digital media content and turnkey video platforms to Service Providers and Media Broadcasters, including 3G TV and DVB-H based Mobile TV platforms. Operating on many different satellites in both C-band and Ku-band, and partnering with Tier 1 carriers for its fiber requirements, SpeedCast Ltd and its 150 partners worldwide provide first-class services and 24/7 technical support. Please visit http://www.speedcast.com.

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 26 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2010, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,600 television channels. More than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ nearly 661 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 countries. Please visit http://www.eutelsat.com.

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications