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Mobile Satellite Ventures' Satellite Communications Network to Support Gulf States Region Mutual Aid Talkgroups

Posted on: Thursday, 1 November 2007, 09:00 CDT

Mobile Satellite Ventures' (MSV) announced today that it will operate two Gulf States Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroups (GSMART) on MSV's satellite communications network that will be managed by the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

These talkgroups will enable critical and interoperable communications among emergency responders and public safety officials throughout the Gulf States Region that includes Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

The GSMART private mode talkgroup allows law enforcement, public safety, and emergency responders to conduct interstate and interagency, one-to-one, push-to-talk operations with all other units throughout the region that have subscribed to the talkgroup. Additionally, the GSMART standard broadcast feature employs one-to-many, push-to-talk satellite technology and provides a way for any member of the group to quickly communicate a message to the entire talkgroup.

Both of these GSMART talkgroups will be used primarily for interoperable communications when MSV users from various Gulf State jurisdictions find themselves working together on a localized public safety event or disaster.

"Louisiana is constantly looking for solutions to improve interoperable communications among government and public safety agencies," said David Stone, for the Information Technology Section of the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. "The GSMART talkgroups are being set up proactively to allow more effective communications among officials from multiple federal, state, local, and relief organizations during emergency situations."

"As recent hurricanes in the Gulf State Region have demonstrated, reliable and real-time communication during times of disaster is extremely important," says Larry D. Haughey, MSV satellite services group vice president for the government sector. "MSV's push-to-talk satellite technology will serve as an important communications tool in the region, particularly when terrestrial networks are damaged, congested, or non-existent."

All public safety agencies in the Gulf State Region with active accounts on the MSV network are eligible and encouraged to join these talkgroups by way of application to Louisiana's GOHSEP. The application and a copy of the SOP may be obtained by sending an email to GSMART@ohsep.louisiana.gov.

MSV is Redefining Wireless Communications™ through its development of a hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network, based on MSV's patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology. The company expects its next-generation network will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. MSV plans to launch two of the most powerful commercial satellites ever built that will enable this network 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.

Mobile Satellite Ventures is majority owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:SKYT).

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.

Source: Business Wire

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