Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, January 7, 2009
ICO G1 Space Segment Testing Complete
RESTON, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (ICO) (NASDAQ:ICOG) today announced that ICO G1 satellite In Orbit Testing (IOT) and testing of the innovative Ground Based Beam Forming (GBBF) system for the ICO Space Segment are both now complete, and the company's subsidiary, ICO Satellite Services G.P., has accepted the Space Segment from Space Systems/Loral. Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 14, 2008, ICO G1 is the world's first satellite to utilize a two-way GBBF system. Delivered and integrated at ICO's gateway in North Las Vegas, GBBF delivers unprecedented flexibility to provide next-generation mobile satellite services. Alpha trials featuring ICO's satellite-terrestrial network are underway in Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
"ICO G1's satellite and GBBF performance has been remarkable throughout the testing period," commented Bob Day, ICO senior vice president for space systems. "ICO is well-positioned to use the most innovative commercial satellite ever deployed for delivering a wide range of nationwide interactive mobile services."
"We have begun using ICO G1 in conjunction with our terrestrial network and mobile devices in Las Vegas and Raleigh-Durham to test and refine our innovative MSS/ATC services, including ICO mim™," said David Zufall, senior vice president of network systems for ICO.
Designed and built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NASDAQ:LORL), ICO G1 has 250 fully configurable transmit and receive beams. SS/L is the first company to successfully develop a two-way GBBF system, and a patent is pending for the company's invention of the technology. With GBBF, spot beams can be added, removed or reconfigured to enable a satellite to operate from different orbital locations and to adapt to changes in traffic patterns or to provide new applications. With beam forming performed on the ground, the cost and time to deliver a highly flexible satellite are significantly reduced. The satellite employs a large 12 meter mesh antenna reflector, which is essential for delivering services to small mobile and portable devices.
"The GBBF implementation for ICO G1 demonstrates Space Systems/Loral's ability to develop new technologies in a commercial environment," said Christopher Hoeber, senior vice president of program management and systems engineering for Space Systems/Loral. "With our GBBF architecture, ICO G1 can deliver unparalleled flexibility."
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) (NASDAQ:HUGH) developed and implemented the high-speed signal conditioning and processing ground equipment that enables GBBF.
Matthew Mohebbi, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Satellite business unit at Hughes, stated, "We are very pleased to reach this milestone with ICO. Hughes provided the RF terminals for the Ground Based Beam Forming system to Space Systems/Loral (SSL). We worked closely with ICO and SSL to complete over-the-air testing of ICO G1."
About ICO
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited is a satellite communications company developing an advanced next-generation hybrid media system, combining both satellite and terrestrial communications capabilities. ICO's satellites are capable of supporting wireless voice, data, and/or Internet services on mobile and portable devices. In North America, ICO is deploying a mobile interactive media service known as ICO mim™. ICO mim will combine ICO's unique interactive satellite capability with nationwide coverage to deliver a new level of navigation, enhanced roadside assistance and the ultimate mobile video experience, including 10-15 live channels of premium television content. ICO is based in Reston, Virginia. For more information, visit [ www.ico.com ].
About Space Systems/Loral
Based in Palo Alto, California, SS/L designs and builds satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to deliver spacecraft for a broad range of services including direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and digital multimedia broadcasting. With more power on orbit than any other satellite manufacturer, SS/L helps customers meet business objectives with advanced solutions based on space-proven heritage designs. For more information, visit [ www.ssloral.com ].
About Loral Space & Communications
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. Through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary, the company is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications including direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony, weather monitoring and air traffic management. Loral also owns 64 percent of Telesat Canada, one of the world's largest providers of satellite services. Telesat Canada operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, distribute direct-to-home video and broadband data services, and other value-added communications services. For more information, visit Loral's web site at [ www.loral.com ].
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:HUGH). For additional information, please visit [ www.hughes.com ].[ ]
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the ability of the ICO G1 satellite and its GBBF system to provide innovative services. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expected results. More information about risks is contained in ICO's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak as of the date hereof, and ICO undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
