ICO Reassesses Launch Plans [Satellite Today] (via ICO yahoo thread)
07/09/99 -- ICO Global Communications' [ICOGF] plans to use Russia's Proton rocket to launch its first
two satellites are being reconsidered following Monday's Proton failure (ST, 7/6). ICO's launch manifest
currently has its first two satellites scheduled to launch in the third quarter aboard Proton rockets from
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. But that now could change and ICO told us it is reviewing
its manifest.
A third ICO launch is scheduled for a Boeing Co. [BA] Delta III mission in October. But a Delta III launch
failure in May (ST, 5/5) spurred an investigation by Boeing and a cause has yet to be determined. Until the
reason for the disaster can be isolated and corrective action taken, the Delta III is grounded. That dilemma
places the first three ICO missions in doubt and could impact the company's scheduled rollout next year.
"We have confidence that those launchers experiencing difficulties will in time fix the faults," said Joe Tedino,
ICO's director of communications for North America. "Meanwhile, we'll reschedule our launches to the best
of our ability. We've got diversified launchers on our manifest to give us access to four launchers. Those
other two launchers are the Atlas 2AS and Sea Launch." Expect a rapid re-write of ICO's manifest to
appease investors already nervous about delays, following Iridium LLC's [IRID] high-profile difficulties.
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ICO Signs Roaming Agreement With KB Impuls in Russia
Business Wire - July 13, 1999 14:51
MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 1999--ICO Global Communications, the global mobile
communications company, has signed a roaming agreement with KB Impuls for global mobile satellite
services.
Under the terms of the agreement, ICO and KB Impuls agree to implement bilateral roaming, allowing
cellular customers of KB Impuls to use the ICO global satellite system, and customers of ICO to use
the KB Impuls cellular network.
Eldar Moussaev, KB Impuls International Roaming Manager and Financial Director, said: "ICO and
KB Impuls are working together for the benefit of all existing and potential cellular subscribers in
Russia. We presently have over 30,000 customers who already benefit from the 160 other roaming
agreements that KB Impuls has signed."
Commenting on the announcement of the agreement, Stan Cramton, ICO's Head of Representation in
Russia, said: "ICO is now making major progress towards the launch of its services in Russia. Earlier
this year we announced the establishment of ICO-R as our service partner, and now we have
announced our first roaming agreement. Shortly, people in Russia will be able to subscribe to our
services, bringing them the convenience of global communications for the first time."
The roaming agreement with KB Impuls is the 40th agreement that ICO has signed worldwide.
Editors' Notes:
ICO Global Communications (Nasdaq: ICOGF) was established in January 1995 as a private
company to provide global mobile personal communications services by satellite, including digital
voice, data, fax and messaging services. It has raised approximately $3 billion to date from equity and
debt investors. Among its investors are more than 60 strategic partners and investors, comprising
telecommunications and technology companies from over 50 markets around the world. In July of
1998, ICO was listed on Nasdaq in New York and became a public company.
ICO started its initial commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 1998 with its ICOroam service.
This service permits international travelers to use their home cellular number as they travel in cellular
systems incompatible with their home cellular service.
ICO expects to begin commercial operations of its mobile satellite services in the third quarter of next
year. Its satellite services are expected to be used by international and domestic cellular users who
roam outside areas covered by compatible cellular networks from business, industry and government
organizations, mining, transportation, aeronautical, maritime, media and other sectors, as well as
residents of rural and remote areas lacking adequate local communications.
Visit the ICO Website at: www.ico.com, containing an extensive press office and image library.
CONTACT: ICO Global Communications, North America
Joe Tedino, 202/887-8111
Mobile: 202/255-0892
Email: joseph.tedino@ico.com |
