Astrolink Names Steve Soroka Vice President, Operations.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2000

Steven L. Soroka has been named vice president, operations at Astrolink. He will report directly to the chief executive officer Celso Azevedo. Mr. Soroka will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Astrolink network, as well as development of gateways, terminal products, and the customer care and billing systems.

Mr. Soroka came to Astrolink from Iridium LLC, where he was responsible for managing world-wide network operations. Prior to Iridium, Mr. Soroka was with Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 18 years, where he served in a variety of positions in program management and led the satellite communications network business prior to his departure in 1997. Before his career at Westinghouse, Mr. Soroka spent nearly six years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.

"We are very fortunate to have Steve join us at Astrolink," said Celso Azevedo. "His deep knowledge of complex, world-wide operations, coupled with his years of experience as a supplier of complex solutions, will be invaluable as Astrolink builds out its network and develops its services."

Mr. Soroka holds a bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and a master's degree in business administration from Loyola College in Maryland.

Astrolink is a wireless broadband venture scheduled to become the first global, satellite-based broadband service provider in 2003. Astrolink will begin with service to the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East in 2003 and then to Asia beginning in 2004. Astrolink has investments totaling US$1.33 billion from Liberty Media, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, TRW, and Telespazio.