SES Affiliate Sistemas Satelitales de Mexico (SSM) Receives Approval From Mexico to Expand Satellite Services With EchoStar
LUXEMBOURG and ENGLEWOOD, CO, Mar 19, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Global satellite operator SES S.A. (PARIS: SESG) (LUXEM: SESG) today announced its affiliate, Sistemas Satelitales de Mexico (SSM), has received approval from the Mexican government to offer Ku-band satellite capacity into Mexico from its AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites. EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), has acquired the rights to use this capacity from SES and now plans to offer full-time and occasional use space segment to authorized entities in Mexico through SSM.
The authorizations to use the Ku-band spectrum at these orbital positions for fixed satellite services (FSS) were recently granted by the Mexican government to SSM.
Today, AMC-15 and AMC-16 are used primarily by enterprise customers in the United States. Positioned at 105 degrees West Longitude and at 85 degrees West Longitude, respectively, AMC-15 and AMC-16 can transmit video, audio or data with full coverage of Mexico and the United States.
Also, upon launch in 2011, EchoStar is expected to use capacity on QuetzSat's QuetzSat-1, a high power communications satellite to be located at 77 degrees West Longitude, with coverage of Mexico and North America. EchoStar intends to use QuetzSat-1 for broadcast services for the Dish Mexico direct-to-home service in Mexico and for the DISH Network direct-to-home service in the United States.
"This initiative brings together the strengths of SES and EchoStar in extending the reach and capability of AMC-15 and AMC-16 to accommodate new growth markets, as well as the experience of SSM in the Mexican market," said Rob Bednarek, president and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES.
"With SSM's receipt of the authorizations from SCT and COFETEL to offer services into Mexico, EchoStar will be able to serve a growing regional demand for satellite services," said Dean Olmstead, president of EchoStar Satellite Services. "EchoStar is well positioned to leverage its satellite operations and uplink expertise in the U.S. to expand its fixed satellite services throughout Mexico, including the delivery of satellite Internet services to rural communities."
About SES SES (PARIS: SESG) (LUXEM: SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES as well as participations in Ciel in Canada, and SSM and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 41 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com
About EchoStar Satellite Services EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) and provides a reliable network for aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data domestically and internationally, including a joint venture to deliver Dish Mexico direct-to-home satellite TV services. EchoStar also offers IPTV solutions through its ViP-TV platform. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with 10 satellites, ground-based teleport facilities, and an expansive terrestrial backhaul network along with 24-hour Satellite Access Centers. Visit www.echostar.com.
For further information please contact: Yves Feltes Media Relations SES Tel: +352 710 725 311 Email Contact Mark Roberts SES Investor Relations Tel. +352 710 725 490 Email Contact Marc Lumpkin EchoStar Corp. Tel. 303-706-5236 Email Contact
SOURCE: EchoStar Corporation
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