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Reston, VA, Germantown, MD, and Paris, Wednesday, May 2, 2007 — ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (“ICO”) (NASDAQ: ICOG) today announced
that Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Hughes Network Systems
(Hughes) will develop key architecture and technology for use in ICO’s alpha
trial of Mobile Interactive Media (MIM) services, set for spring of 2008.
ICO MIM is a converged mobile media service which addresses a wide variety
of consumers’ entertainment and communication needs, all based upon ICO’s
next-generation geostationary satellite (ICO G1) and the deployment of an
Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC).
ICO MIM will provide multiple channels of high-quality mobile video to
large-screen user devices. Alcatel-Lucent has been chosen to supply the system
architecture and design based on the mobile multimedia DVB-SH open standard.
Alcatel-Lucent and ICO are in final negotiations for Alcatel-Lucent to be the
end-to-end network integrator for both the satellite and terrestrial networks
and to provide corresponding installation and network integration services.
ICO MIM also will provide full-duplex, IP data communication services
between customer devices and ICO satellite base station equipment using Hughes’
proven ETSI standard GMR air interface technology, with a focus on Internet
access, VoIP, and other data applications. In addition, Hughes will develop an
integrated satellite terminal and antenna system to incorporate GMR and DVB-SH
technologies, as well as a GPS receiver.
Tim Bryan, ICO’s CEO commented, “ICO MIM lies at the intersection of three
highly prized consumer services: interactive location-based services, using GPS
with GMR for navigation plus live traffic, weather and social networks;
emergency calling and messaging, for times and places when the traditional
terrestrial networks are unavailable; and mobile video, on larger screens and
with better quality than currently available. We plan an alpha trial on ICO MIM
for the spring of 2008, including the deployment of a terrestrial network in
two cities, to demonstrate the attractiveness of ICO’s assets being deployed
for these services.”
“We are pleased to see that our joint developments with chipset and terminal
partners on the DVB-SH technology can be deployed in the U.S. market,” stated
Olivier Coste, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Broadcast activities. “We
consider hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks very powerful solutions to
provide mobile broadcast services to consumers. Moreover, by leveraging the
large ecosystem of the DVB-H open standard family, we believe that DVB-SH will
enable a broadband range of mass market multimedia applications.”
Matthew Mohebbi, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Satellite
business unit at Hughes added, “GMR is a proven, high-performance open air
interface, optimized to operate over satellite. We are proud to have been
selected to deliver GMR base stations for the ICO alpha trial, as well as
terminals that combine DVB-SH and GMR technologies that can offer consumers
mobile integrated communications and entertainment.”
ICO will describe ICO MIM in further detail at its previously announced
Investor Conference on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.
About ICO
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (www.ico.com) is a
next-generation satellite communications company based in Reston, Virginia. ICO
is developing an advanced hybrid system, combining both satellite and
terrestrial communications capabilities, in order to offer wireless voice,
data, video, and Internet services on mobile and portable devices.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing
broadband satellite networks and services for enterprises, governments, small
businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and
managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial
technologies. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.2 million systems to
customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on
the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and
ITU standards organizations. 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
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that
enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver
voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in
fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies,
applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that
enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on
the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local
partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services
team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and
innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent
achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is
incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures
exclude impact of activities transferred to Thales]. For more information,
visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: www.alcatel-lucent.com
Contact the Alcatel-Lucent Press Office: press@alcatel-lucent.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, including statements regarding
the technologies Alcatel-Lucent and Hughes will develop for ICO, the successful
integration of these technologies, the deployment of ICO’s satellite, ICO’s
terrestrial network and ancillary terrestrial component, the timing of any
alpha trial, and the services included in ICO’s MIM offering. The
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from our expected results. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include technical
challenges in deploying our satellite and terrestrial network, and the systems
necessary for our alpha trial and MIM offering. More information about these
types of factors 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
publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
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