AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES Wins Contract To Enhance Air Traffic Safety, Regularity and Efficiency.

WASHINGTON & PRINCETON, N.J. -- AGS Selected to Provide Satellite Digital Communications Network for International Civil Aviation Organization 

AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, Inc. (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM, announced today it was awarded a five-year contract from the United States, Caribbean States/Territories and Central American Organization of Air Navigation Services (COCESNA) that are coordinated by the Regional Office for North American, Central American and Caribbean Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to support safe air traffic in the southern United States, the Caribbean, Central American and parts of South America. AGS will provide its highly reliable satellite-based telecommunications network to support the MEVA II project, which will close existing coverage gaps and provide the highest level of safety through reliable aeronautical ground - ground digital communications between regional air traffic control centers.

"AGS' track record of reliability, established infrastructure and clear understanding of our needs was instrumental in their selection by members of MEVA" said Raymond Ybarra, ICAO Regional Director. "If ground-to-ground communications is ever compromised that means flight safety is compromised, and that's why the States, Territories and International Organization decided to partner with AGS."

ICAO is an agency created by the United Nations in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation, and it works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. ICAO first identified the need for a satellite-based aeronautical communications network to replace less reliable and more costly terrestrial circuits in 1995. The MEVA II project will allow for the integration of air controller voice and data traffic, and will greatly enhance the "hand-off" of flights from air controller to air controller. It will also significantly extend the range of line-of-sight aircraft communication through the use of satellite-based repeater terminals.

"Reliable and scalable bandwidth for communications is the lifeblood of our network-centric age," said David Helfgott, President and CEO of AGS. "When communications are disrupted in the area of air travel, passenger safety is threatened. AGS is proud that the ICAO has entrusted passenger safety to our network through the MEVA II project."

MEVA is an acronym for the Spanish phrase "Mejoras a los Enlaces de Voz ATS", meaning "Improvement to ATS Voice Link." The MEVA II project is an important part of the member countries' efforts to effect a gradual migration from legacy communication technology to more widely adopted protocols.

About AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES

AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, Inc. (AGS) is an independent corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SES AMERICOM, formed when SES GLOBAL acquired GE AMERICOM. Leveraging a 30-year heritage of experience in the government SATCOM market, AGS offers comprehensive satellite-based communications solutions that enable federal agencies to extend secure broadband communications to fulfill both routine and mission-critical applications. With access to a fleet of 42 satellites, AGS' full range of satellite services and end-to-end solutions allows for secure, reliable communications and comprehensive global coverage. AGS' reputation for operational excellence and highly reliable network solutions has been validated by long-term relationships with diverse government customers including, DoD, US Army, US Air Force, Department of Commerce/NOAA, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, NASA, and other civilian and defense-related agencies. For more information, visit www.americom-gs.com.