NSS-5 satellite at 183 degrees east to deliver ship-to-shore communications services for ocean-going vessels
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, February 18, 2003 – New Skies Satellites N.V. (AEX, NYSE: NSK), the global satellite communications company, has signed an agreement with the Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a leader in ship-to-shore communications, for capacity on the NSS-5 Pacific Ocean region satellite.
Through NSS-5, MTN will link dozens of cruise liners and offshore energy vessels located virtually anywhere throughout the Pacific Ocean with terrestrial communications networks in the United States. The communications links will enable fax, data, Internet and video transmissions for a variety of applications.
David Kagan, chief executive officer of MTN, said: “When faced with the challenge of providing reliable communications services over the vast and sparsely populated area of the Pacific Ocean, we selected New Skies’ NSS-5 satellite for its ideal location at 183 degrees east. From this position, NSS-5 offers optimal Pacific Ocean coverage with connectivity to major terrestrial network access points in the United States.”
“This agreement with MTN highlights the excellent coverage and connectivity offered from the 183 degrees east orbital slot,” said Stephen Wilson, New Skies’ vice president of sales for North America. “From mission-critical communications for energy exploration vessels in the South China Sea to Internet connectivity for cruise passengers off the coast of Hawaii, NSS-5 is capable of delivering virtually any type of communications to the remotest of locations, at a standard consistent with MTN’s reputation for excellence within the maritime industry.”
NSS-5 has 73 x 36 MHz equivalent transponders, offering both high-powered Ku and C-Band frequencies for video, telecom and Internet transmissions services throughout the Pacific Rim as well as trans-oceanic connectivity to the West Coast of the United States. NSS-5, which was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and deployed to 338.5 degrees east longitude in 1997, was transitioned to183 degrees east longitude above the Pacific Ocean in December 2002.
About MTN
Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), the leader in maritime communications provides broadband solutions for voice, data, Internet and compressed video services to the cruise and offshore industries utilizing state-of-the-art VSAT technology. MTN is focused on cost effective, high-speed satellite solutions while maintaining the highest standards of quality and availability. MTN’s Digital Seas Internet product, the first Information Technology concession, provides turnkey Internet Cafes to the Cruise and Offshore Industries. More information is available at www.mtnsat.com.
About New Skies Satellites
New Skies Satellites (AEX, NYSE: NSK) is one of only four fixed satellite communications companies with truly global satellite coverage, offering video, voice, data and Internet communications services to a range of telecommunications carriers, broadcasters, large corporations and Internet service providers around the world. New Skies has six satellites in orbit and ground facilities around the world. The company has one additional spacecraft under construction. The company also has secured certain rights to make use of additional orbital positions for future growth. New Skies is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, and has offices in Beijing, Johannesburg, New Delhi, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Washington, D.C. Additional information is available at www.newskies.com.
