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Technology Stocks : Loral Space & Communications -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jeff Vayda who wrote (6715)	8/26/1999 8:57:00 AM
From: djane	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10852

AboveNet's Secure Alliance Program Offers Corporate Customers Added Flexibility in Enhancing Their Security and VPN Solutions Charter Members Include: Cylink, Loral Orion, Network Alchemy, Net Sentinel, Nokia, Nemesis Technologies, Tripwire Security Systems, and VeriSign SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 1999-- AboveNet Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: ABOV), the architect of a global one-hop network that brings together high-bandwidth content sites, ISPs, and Application Service Providers in centralized co-location facilities, today announced its Secure Alliance Program. Charter members of the alliance include Cylink Corporation (Nasdaq: CYLK), Tripwire Security Systems, Inc., Loral Orion, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (NYSE: LOR), Network Alchemy, Inc., Netsentinel, Inc., Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Nemesis Technologies, and VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN). These "best of breed" providers of security products and services will enable AboveNet's clients to implement solutions that are designed to meet their specific security requirements. In a related release today, AboveNet introduced its Secure Services which include: Secure Vault for high level physical security, Secure IP Response for filtered network access, and Secure Connectivity for high-performance low-latency bandwidth that enables the implementation of virtual private networks (VPNs) with global reach. Spanning the spectrum of security-related products and services, the Secure Alliance members offer solutions for authentication, security auditing, intrusion detection, firewalls, dedicated access, and VPNs as well as consulting services and system integration. In selecting members for its Secure Alliance, AboveNet chose technology leaders with a demonstrated ability in providing quality security solutions. These providers give AboveNet's Secure Services customers a choice of quality, value-added products and services for enhancing and extending the level of security on their Internet equipment and networks as well as implementing VPNs. With its Secure Alliance members, AboveNet delivers a national reach for VPNs with performance of up to 300 Mbps of 3-DES encryption. The Secure Alliance Program is an extension of AboveNet's open business philosophy. While focusing on its core competencies, AboveNet maximizes client options through technology relationships. "The expertise of our Secure Alliance members complements AboveNet's core competencies in facilities, network connectivity and managed services," said Sherman Tuan, AboveNet Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Together with our alliance members, AboveNet provides premium security for corporate IT assets." About AboveNet Communications Inc. AboveNet Communications Inc. is a leading provider of Internet connectivity and co-location solutions for high bandwidth and business-critical applications. AboveNet, headquartered in San Jose, is the architect of the Internet Service Exchange (ISX) -- a world class network that provides co-location services and Internet connectivity for Content Providers, ISPs and Application Service Providers (ASPs). The AboveNet Global One-Hop Network is designed to deliver fast, scalable and reliable connections to the Internet and improves the Internet experience for end-users. With its Tier 1 status and ISO 9002 certification, AboveNet is seeking to serve the global community of the Internet. For more information on AboveNet and its service offering call 800/475-2733 or visit the company's Web site at www.above.net. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the company's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intention or strategies regarding the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks related to the company's services, including network scalability and Internet connectivity, the ability to maintain and increase peering relationships, intense competition, and other factors and risks discussed in AboveNet's documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AboveNet's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Note to Editors: AboveNet, Internet Service Exchange, ISX, and AboveNet Global One-Hop Network are trademarks of AboveNet Communications, Inc. All other company or brand names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Contact: AboveNet Communications Rose Marr, 408/367-6681 rose@above.net or The Weber Group (for AboveNet) Tiffany Francis, 650/463-8642 tfrancis@ca.webergroup.com

To: Jeff Vayda who wrote (6715)	8/31/1999 2:04:00 AM
From: djane	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 10852

*IBD tomorrow. Loral Seeks Smooth Takeoff Where Iridium, ICO Faltered [Looks like Bernie's on the offensive once again...] Date: 8/31/99 Author: Reinhardt Krause Next batter up. Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. is ready to step up to the plate. It hopes to hit a home run where others so far have struck out: provide a global satellite phone service. Iridium LLC filed for bankruptcy in mid- August after attracting far fewer customers than expected for its service. Backed by Motorola Inc., it's trying to restructure. ICO Global Communications Ltd. filed for bankruptcy Saturday. It had planned to launch service next year. The third big player is New York-based Globalstar, which plans to roll out service in mid-October. Globalstar's chief investor is Loral Space & Communications Ltd. Other partners include cell-phone operator Vodafone AirTouch PLC and China Telecom. Globalstar Chief Executive Bernard Schwartz recently spoke with Investor's Business Daily about the unproven satellite phone business. IBD: Should investors paint all satellite phones with the same brush? Schwartz: There are big differences between Iridium and Globalstar and ICO. Mostly it has to do with assessment of the market and the satellite technology used. Iridium started out (marketing to) the VIP traveler. They thought that type of user wouldn't be price-sensitive and would be convenience-oriented. Their service wasn't designed to complement the cellular terrestrial networks around the world. In Globalstar's case, we came up with a system that was significantly less costly and required less investment than Iridium. Therefore, the end service is considerably lower in price. We don't think Iridium was really a good marketing test of a satellite phone. They prematurely initiated advertising. We want to make sure we introduce the service when (phones) are totally available in the distributor pipeline. IBD: Does Loral's approach differ from Motorola's? Schwartz: Loral has other satellite services. Globalstar was created as a telephone service organization. It's the only concept we had, whereas Iridium saw themselves as equipment providers. It was never calculated we would make money on the hardware (phones). It's fair to say that Motorola/Iridium had a strategy of making money on the hardware. When we looked for partners, instead of looking for financial backers we only chose established cellular phone operators. Our partners are our customers. They are the retail distributors. We are the wholesale distributor. We have a price structure that allows the retailer to have plenty of flexibility setting end-user prices. In some places they might be able to get $1 or $1.25 (per minute). The wholesale price is between 35 cents and 53 cents. They mark it up from there. IBD: Who will be Globalstar's customers? Schwartz: There are at least three kinds. One is a mobile VIP person that has adequate (cell-phone use) in his city but loses coverage 20, 30 miles outside. It may be someone in Sao Paulo, Brazil, or Bombay, India. That's an extension of the cellular service. The largest group is the unserved market around the world. Villages of 10,000, 20,000 or 30,000 people who don't have cellular (or wireline) service at all, and it's unlikely they will any time soon. If you give these people - small-business people or distributors - communication ability, you increase their productivity. It may be a trucker making $12,000 a year. It's not a farmer in a rice paddy working for 30 cents an hour. There's also fixed service - where we put a telephone booth in an unserved market, say in a police station or general store. People come to that stationary phone and make calls with a prepaid card. It may be a less expensive service. IBD: How many satellite phone players will there ultimately be? Schwartz: Someone has to put $700 million more into Iridium. Their fleet has a life-design of five years. Iridium has to think in terms of providing enough funds to replenish the fleet again. As a businessman, that sounds like a tough sale. The question is whether they can get the cost down to compete against Globalstar. That's problematic. ICO has to complete their financing. Iridium hasn't made that easier for them. ICO's partners represent tate- owned carriers) in most of the under-developed countries of the world, and that's a good market for them. Ellipso (another potential rival, owned by Mobile Communications Holdings Inc.) has a very elegant engineering idea, but it's still very much in paper form. It's a question of funding. IBD: Does Globalstar have all the money it needs to launch service? Schwartz: All funds have been spoken for. The last $500 million bank credit completed the financial requirements. We have sufficient funds to introduce the service, advertise it and support it in every which way. If we're on plan, or close to plan, it won't be necessary to find any more funding. We're prepared to roll out service at Geneva Telecom in October. (C) Copyright 1999 Investors Business Daily, Inc. Metadata: GSTRF IRID MOT ICOGF LOR VOD E/IBD E/SN1 E/TECH