Atlanta and Paris, France, June 19, 2002 - Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA), and EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ELMG) have signed a preliminary cooperation agreement for the development of broadband satellite access solutions compliant with the DVB-RCS open standard. This agreement is complementary to the strategic partnership announced early April, 2002, among Alcatel, SES Global SA and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
Under the agreement, EMS Technologies will provide its DVB-RCS Return Link Sub-System (RLSS) hubs, user terminals, and system engineering support. Alcatel will design and integrate the complete DVB-RCS system with its networking and service management solutions, and market them through its worldwide commercial network.
"Alcatel has always been in favor of standards, which are essential for wide market acceptance, and we are convinced that DVB-RCS is a very efficient solution for broadband access via satellite. With Alcatel's extensive experience in telecommunications systems, and the proven operational capability of EMS Technologies to deliver DVB-RCS hub subsystems and terminals, we have a very strong partnership able to deliver efficient standards-based solutions complementing Alcatel's broadband access portfolio," said Didier Verhulst, vice president of the Telecom Systems and Networks activities in Alcatel Space.
"Alcatel's decision to offer DVB-RCS solutions, and their decision to work with EMS, are important milestones in our campaign to promote DVB-RCS on a global scale. EMS continues to offer fully operational, and fully DVB-RCS-compliant satellite systems, and this endorsement by Alcatel is witness to our ability to deliver on these claims," said Don Osborne, senior vice president & general manager, EMS Technologies' Space & Technology Group, Canada.
About Alcatel
Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio - stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access - Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EUR 25 billion in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
About Alcatel Space
Alcatel Space ranks among the world's leading space systems prime contractors. Leveraging its dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite technology solutions for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation, meteorology, and scientific applications. The company is also Europe's number one prime
contractor for Earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, as well as space systems operations. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcatel, Alcatel Space generated revenues of 1.4 billion euros in 2001 and has 6,000 employees.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELMG) is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs almost 2,000 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Ottawa, Montreal and Brazil. The Space & Technology Group of EMS Technologies, with facilities in Montreal, Atlanta and Ottawa, is a leader in the development and supply of advanced products and systems for space and terrestrial applications that demand the highest performance and reliability. EMS Technologies played a critical role in the development of the DVB-RCS international open standard for high speed bi-directional Internet communications via satellite, and is a leading provider of broadband satellite communications ground terminal and hub solutions.
For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
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