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TerreStar Taps Accenture to Help Build North America's First Fully IP-Based 4G Mobile Wireless Network

Posted on: Monday, 5 November 2007, 09:00 CST

TerreStar Networks Inc. (TerreStar) has chosen Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to help build North America's first all Internet Protocol-based (IP) fourth-generation (4G) wireless communications network, which will provide voice, data and streamed media to users at data rates higher than those of existing wireless communications networks. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As part of its wholesale business model, TerreStar plans to allow other wireless carriers, third-party developers and portal companies to offer broadband services to wireless device users over its 4G network, which will integrate both satellite and terrestrial communications.

"TerreStar is in an exciting position as it plans to build, own and operate the first 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network designed to provide universal access and tailored applications throughout North America," said Mark Fleming, a senior executive in Accenture's Communications & High Tech operating group. "Leading communications carriers, portal operators and content developers on the quest for high performance can leverage TerreStar's wholesale business model to take advantage of 4G wireless broadband services."

TerreStar will leverage Accenture's deep satellite and wireless industry knowledge; its experience with operational support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) deployment; and, its global service delivery platform to launch North America's first 4G mobile wireless network (www.accenture.com/4Gsummary).

Working with Accenture to optimize its OSS/BSS operations, TerreStar is aiming to keep its information technology and networking costs lower than those of existing wireless operators by taking advantage of 4G networks' greater transmission tower capacity and avoiding legacy-systems limitations and costly investments in network infrastructure.

"We have been building a first-in-class team of technology partners to help develop North America's first 4G mobile communications network, and Accenture's expertise in the wireless industry, experience integrating heterogeneous communications environments and ability to roll-out OSS and BSS solutions will enable TerreStar's channel partners and first-responder customers to rapidly and cost-effectively configure and provision users, devices and services across the TerreStar network," said Robert H. Brumley, TerreStar's chief executive officer and president.

In addition to helping identify and define TerreStar's business strategies, Accenture will help build a new set of front-office and back-office IT capabilities to support TerreStar's 4G network. The front-office functions such as customer relationship management and billing, service delivery, and quality of service are planned to support operations that are critical to running a communications service business. The back-office capabilities are intended to streamline in-house operations such as policy management, device testing and certification and device management.

TerreStar plans to provide other communications carriers and the U.S. government with access to its 4G network, which the company plans to roll-out in late 2008 or early 2009.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 170,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About TerreStar Networks Inc.

TerreStar (www.terrestar.com), a majority-owned subsidiary of TerreStar Corporation (NASDAQ: TSTR), plans to build, own and operate North America's first 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network that will provide universal access and tailored applications throughout North America over conventional wireless devices. TerreStar expects to be the first to offer customer-designed products and applications over a fully optimized 4G IP network.

Source: Business Wire

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