MSV Commends Federal Communications Commission on Satellite Capability Requirement in Public Safety Portion of 700 MHz Auction
Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) today commended the FCC’s decision taken July 31, 2007 to require a built-in satellite capability in at least one handset offered that will operate in the 20 MHz the FCC reserved for a public-private partnership that will construct a nationwide public safety broadband network in the 700 MHz band.
“MSV applauds the FCC for recognizing the importance of satellite communications and interoperability, especially during natural disasters or national emergencies when terrestrial communications systems might be disrupted or completely destroyed,” said MSV Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Alexander H. Good. “During these emergency situations, satellites will provide critical communications using the same devices that operate in the spectrum the FCC has set aside for public safety. Satellites also serve other essential continuity of operations functions for critical infrastructure during emergency situations.”
“MSV looks forward to playing a growing role with our current public safety customers in providing transparent, ubiquitous communications services throughout North America, including rural and remote areas that will never be covered by tower-based systems,” Good continued. “Our current network already fills a critical void in the public safety community with our MSAT-G2 satellite radio which is interoperable with other land mobile radio devices.”
MSV is planning to launch two of the most powerful commercial satellites ever placed into orbit to support its next-generation network that will result in transparent terrestrial-satellite communications services.
“MSV understands the importance of delivering robust and high-bandwidth satellite services to public safety users on the go while maintaining a streamlined and low-cost user device,” Good continued. “MSV’s powerful next-generation satellites and terrestrial-satellite integrated devices, with manufacturing costs that will be virtually the same as wireless-only devices, will usher in a new generation in communications mobility. The public safety community, enterprise operations, and others will finally be able to stay connected seamlessly, transparently, and ubiquitously. Users will also benefit by being able to leverage broadband services at lower costs per bit with the flexibility to support a range of custom IP applications. MSV looks forward to partnering with the wireless providers to develop terrestrial-satellite devices at cost parity to wireless-only devices and to advance innovative, reliable, ubiquitous communications to public safety agencies and organizations,” concluded Good.
About Mobile Satellite Ventures and SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
MSV’s MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 satellites deliver mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. MSV is developing a hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network, which it expects will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. MSV holds the first FCC license to provide hybrid satellite-terrestrial services. MSV plans to launch two satellites for coverage of the United States and Canada, which are expected to be among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever built. When completed, the network is expected to support communications in a variety of areas including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services. MSV is majority owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:SKYT). http://www.msvlp.com
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to plans described in this news release. Such statements generally include words such as could, can, anticipate, believe, expect, seek, pursue, proposed, potential and similar words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties relating to the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to raise additional capital or consummate a strategic transaction or deploy the next generation system, as well as the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to execute their business plan. We assume no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.