BEDMINSTER, NJ - April 20, 2006 - Loral Skynet do Brasil, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NASDAQ: LORL), today announced that it has reached an agreement with Vicom, a subsidiary of Comsat International, McLean, Va., to lease Ku-band capacity on Skynet's Estrela do Sul 1 (Telstar 14) satellite for a unique, IP-based VSAT (very small aperture terminal) network connecting more than 6,000 lottery and banking outlets across Brazil.
"Comsat is one of the largest and most important communications network providers in Brazil and across Latin America," said Patrick Brant, president, Loral Skynet. "With our new relationship with Comsat, Loral Skynet do Brasil continues to establish itself as a premier provider of flexible and reliable satellite services in Brazil. Customers on our Estrela do Sul 1 (Telstar 14) Brazilian satellite have access to one of the most powerful satellites in the region, supported by our world-class team of in-country satellite experts."
Comsat will use Estrela do Sul 1 (Telstar 14) to operate and manage the satellite component of its hybrid communications network for Caixa Economica Federal, Brazil's state-owned financial institution. Comsat's network provides robust, high-bandwidth broadband services to thousands of Caixa locations across Brazil to support lottery transactions and general banking functions.
"Loral Skynet do Brasil provided unmatched flexibility and solutions in meeting our needs," said Luiz de Sá, country manager for Comsat. "Loral is a recognized leader in satellite communications and this new relationship only serves to strengthen our service capabilities in the region. We look forward to working with the Loral Skynet do Brasil team for many years to come."
Loral Skynet do Brasil was the first private Brazilian satellite company to offer Ku-band satellite services. Using Loral's Estrela do Sul 1 (Telstar 14) satellite, the company provides fixed satellite services in Brazil and South America. Estrela do Sul 1 (Telstar 14) hosts a variety of video and data services for companies across Brazil, as well as trans-Atlantic coverage for Connexion by Boeing's in-flight Internet service. Loral Skynet do Brasil has a ground station in Rio de Janeiro that provides tracking, telemetry, and control and access management from in-country technical staff.
Comsat International, Inc. provides local, national and pan-regional network services and solutions for more than 2,000 enterprise, government and service-provider customers over modern, integrated terrestrial and satellite network facilities in key Latin American markets. It owns domestic networks in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and throughout Central America and Turkey and has two gateway interconnect points in the USA. It also provides services via terrestrial and satellite links to Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay. In addition, it operates over 2,000 square meters of data center and teleport collocation space throughout the region. Comsat International, Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
A pioneer in the satellite industry, Loral Skynet delivers the superior service quality and range of satellite solutions that have made it an industry leader for more than 40 years. Through the broad coverage of the Telstar satellite fleet, in combination with its hybrid VSAT/fiber global network infrastructure, Skynet meets the needs of companies around the world for broadcast and data network services, Internet access, IP and systems integration. Headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, Loral Skynet is dedicated to providing secure, high-quality connectivity and communications. For more information, visit the Loral Skynet web site at www.loralskynet.com.
In addition to being the parent company of Loral Skynet, Loral Space & Communications is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary. For more information, visit the Loral Space & Communications web site at www.loral.com.
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, Loral Space & Communications Inc. or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing, which may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer of the company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of factors and conditions. Many of these factors and conditions are described in the section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 of Loral Space & Communications Inc., entitled "Risk Factors," and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reader is specifically referred to these documents.
