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Intelsat
Ltd is on a gobbling spree. The satellite operator that
provides telephony, corporate network, broadcast and Internet
solutions around the globe via capacity on 21 geosynchronous
satellites in prime orbital locations, today announced two
acquisitions which will signficantly strengthen its ground-based
satellite infrastructure.
In a press release issued today, Intelsat announced that
it has signed an agreement to acquire the World Systems
business unit of Lockheed Martin Corp, including existing
service contracts with World Systems' customers for Intelsat
capacity as well as earth stations located in Clarksburg,
Maryland and Paumalu, Hawaii. Under the agreement, Intelsat
will also purchase the teleport facilities and related assets
of COMSAT Digital Teleport. Intelsat further announced that
it had acquired a teleport facility in Fuchsstadt, Germany
from Deutsche Telekom AG.
Additionally, Intelsat said that it has established points
of presence (POPs) connected by fiber at key traffic exchange
points in Los Angeles, New York and London that will be
connected to the teleport facilities which it is planning
to acquire.
In the release, Intelsat says it expects to use this ground-based
infrastructure to begin offering hybrid space/terrestrial
services in a new service portfolio called "Global Connectivity
Solutions." Hybrid services in this family are being designed
to address increasing customer demand for one-stop shopping
and end-to-end services. Finally, it hopes the new deals
will help bring Intelsat closer to its customers in the
US market.
"These developments clearly demonstrate Intelsat's commitment
to provide our customers with the tools they need to better
succeed in their own markets," said Intelsat CEO Conny Kullman.
"This move also shows how a privatized Intelsat has quickly
begun to execute its business strategy to move from a satellite-centric
to a network-centric company."
The assets to be acquired under the Lockheed Martin agreement
will include:
* All of World Systems' existing service contracts for Intelsat
capacity with its customers.
* The assets of COMSAT Digital Teleport, Inc., including
a total of 19 antennas (of which 15 are located in Clarksburg,
two are located in California, one is located in Maine and
one is located in Italy).
* Tracking, telemetry, command and monitoring (TTC&M) earth
stations located in Clarksburg, Maryland and in Paumalu,
Hawaii. These are two of the six major earth stations that
Intelsat uses to monitor and control its satellites and
are currently operated by World Systems under contracts
with Intelsat. The Clarksburg earth station has 11 TTC&M
antennas and the Paumalu earth station has seven antennas.
The teleport acquired in Fuchsstadt, Germany includes one
18-meter and two 32-meter antennas and operating facilities.
Intelsat Global Sales & Marketing president John Stanton
noted: "The agreement with Lockheed Martin represents more
than just an infrastructure play as it will allow us to
get closer to our customers in the United States and provide
them with value-added services."
Intelsat Global Service Corporation president & COO
added: "These initial steps represent the first elements
of a basic infrastructure we are putting in place for our
Global Connectivity Solutions portfolio, while streamlining
our current operations. We are planning to expand our terrestrial
network throughout the world via additional teleports, associated
fiber links and POPs. We are looking to work with our distributors
to help us lease or acquire these elements, and expect to
partner with these customers to expand our terrestrial network
as new opportunities arise."
The closing of the Lockheed Martin transaction is subject
to regulatory and other approvals and certain other conditions.
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