Alcatel Space Wins a New U.S. Contract: A Powerful Satellite for SES
AMERICOM
Paris, March 11, 2002– Alcatel Space announced today that the Company has signed a
contract to build a new satellite for the U.S. based satellite communications provider SES
AMERICOM Inc an SES Global company (Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG; Frankfurt
Stock Exchange: SDSL). This order is for the construction and delivery on the ground of a new
satellite named AMC-23. The company also disclosed that, in February, SES AMERICOM has
cancelled orders for two transoceanic spacecrafts, as permitted by the T&Cs of the contract.
The new Alcatel Space-built satellite is based on the Company's highly reliable 4000
Spacebus platform, one of the largest and most powerful commercial satellite platforms
available on the market today. The new satellite will enable SES AMERICOM to expand its
global fleet, delivering TV and multimedia applications within the Asia Pacific region and
across the Pacific.
Weighing 4.85 metric tons and operating 60 C-band transponders, the satellite will be built in
Alcatel's Cannes and Toulouse (France) clean rooms.
Dean Olmstead, President and CEO, SES AMERICOM, said "These steps better align our
transpacific capacity expansion with market requirements. We are confident that Alcatel
Space will produce a high quality spacecraft that our customers will value".
Pascale Sourisse, Alcatel Space Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated in connection
with this announcement: "We are very happy and proud of this new contract which confirms
SES AMERICOM's confidence in both the quality and competitiveness of Alcatel Space's
satellites. At this time we have from SES GLOBAL a total construction commitment of 5
spacecrafts".
About Alcatel Space
Alcatel Space ranks among the world's leading space systems prime contractors. Leveraging
its dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite
technology solutions for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation,
meteorology, and scientific applications. A fully-owned subsidiary of Alcatel (100%), Alcatel
Space generated 2001 revenues of 1.4 billion Euros and has 6,000 employees.
About Alcatel
Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) designs, develops and builds innovative and
competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to
deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer,
anywhere in the world.
Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from
end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's
customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of
EURO 25 billion in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
About SES AMERICOM
With over twenty-five years' experience, SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and
leading provider of global satellite communications services currently providing capacity on
16 spacecraft capable of serving the Americas, Europe, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
Region and Asia. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family AMERICOM is able to provide
end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in a world.
About SES Global
SES GLOBAL SA has a fleet of 28 satellites and can deliver broadband satellite services to
more than 90% of the world's population. In addition SES GLOBAL's strategic partnerships and
participation in AsiaSat, NSAB, Star One Americom Asia-Pacific and Nahuelsat combine to
give entertainment, telecommunications, Internet, news and enterprise customers access to a
fleet of 41 satellites.
Contact press@www.alcatel.com |
