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To: Valueman who wrote (5165)	1/15/1999 5:39:00 PM
From: Valueman	Respond to of 10852

Another company enters the fray--can you say "consolidate"? Friday January 15, 9:59 am Eastern Time Company Press Release SOURCE: Virtual Geosatellite, LLC Virtual Geosatellite, LLC Submits FCC Filing For Satellite Broadband Telecommunication Services WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Geosatellite, LLC today announced it has applied for authority from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate the VIRGO™ satellite system. Utilizing an innovative network of satellites, gateways and user terminals, VIRGO™ is designed to provide affordable, digital, high data rate telecommunication services, including Internet access, to consumers throughout the world. The application was submitted to the FCC on January 8, 1999 in response to a FCC public notice inviting new satellite proposals in the ''Ku'' frequency bands. ''VIRGO will be perfect for a company or consumer trying to obtain broadband communication services at an affordable price,'' said Dr. David Castiel, President and Manager of Virtual Geosatellite, LLC. ''Satellite networks in general are the best answer to provide service in areas of low population density or difficult terrain. With VIRGO, areas of the world that currently do not have access to high capacity terrestrial systems will now be connected. Even in the US, in the smaller cities and countryside, where access to fiber optic nodes may be nonexistent, VIRGO is designed to address that demand.'' The global VIRGO™ system will operate 15 satellites in unique and patented elliptical medium earth orbits with an angular separation from the ''geo arc'' of 45 degrees or more. Thus the currently allocated frequency bands can be reused, effectively creating more spectrum for satellite systems. VIRGO™ provides a combination of very high elevation angles, low signal propagation delays, limited intersatellite handoffs, and proportionally more capacity allocated to the northern hemisphere to meet demand efficiently. VIRGO™'s unique orbital architecture achieves a coherent constellation movement synchronized with all main continental landmasses, thus appearing virtually geostationary to users within their coverage area. VIRGO™ satellites will operate in the ''bent pipe'' mode, allowing the complex processing to be done within the ground stations, much more inexpensively than onboard a satellite. Since VIRGO™ satellites are much closer to the earth than their geostationary counterparts, transmission power levels can be lower, allowing for smaller, cheaper ground terminals and lower cost satellites. Customers will be able to send and receive information via small (approximately 0.5 meters or 18 inches) terminals, services will include high speed Internet access, direct-to-home data and video distribution and video conferencing. VIRGO™'s projected cost is US $2.6 billion, and is expected to be operational five years after FCC authorization. VIRGO™'s continent- following orbital configuration is covered by issued and pending patents. Virtual Geosatellite, LLC is owned by Virtual Geosatellite Holdings, Inc. and Ellipso Inc., a FCC licensee and the developer of the Ellipso™ global mobile personal communications by satellite (GMPCS) system. The companies anticipate synergies between Ellipso™ and VIRGO™, for example in the areas of interconnectivity and ground segment optimization. For more information on VIRGO™, visit the Web site: www.virtualgeo.com. SOURCE: Virtual Geosatellite, LLC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------