COMSAT Mobile Wins Contract With Silversea Cruises; Voice and Data Offerings Allow Advanced Communications Capabilities on Fleet of Luxury Cruise Ships.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 5, 2000

COMSAT Mobile Communications (CMC), a business unit of COMSAT Corporation (NYSE:CQ), today announced it has signed a four-year agreement with Silversea Cruises, Limited to provide global voice and data communications for Silversea's fleet of ultra-luxury, all-suite cruise ships, including the newest ship in the Silversea family, the Silver Shadow.

CMC was chosen as the satellite communications provider with the most complete set of features to meet the operational demands of Silversea Cruises' and their passengers. COMSAT's C-Band satellite communications, combined with traditional CMC-provided Inmarsat service, will give Silversea's fleet one of the most advanced shipboard satellite communications solutions available today.

The new service will couple Local and Wide Area Networking with Broadband technology to facilitate cost-effective and rapid transfer of large data files, while offering passengers, crew and staff voice, e-mail and a full range of Internet services plus video conferencing capabilities.

CMC's C-Band service will be initiated aboard the 296-passenger Silver Cloud this summer. Additionally, complete satellite voice and data offerings will be available to passengers and crew on the maiden voyage of the 388-passenger Silver Shadow from Rome to Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for mid-September of this year.

CMC's complete package of voice and data services is scheduled for availability aboard the Silver Wind in October.

"In 2001, Silversea will offer nearly 100 different itineraries to more than 280 ports of call throughout the world. As a global cruise line, our ships need to be equipped with advanced communications technology to meet the demands of our international clientele," said Robin Lindsay, Silversea's senior vice president of vessel operations. "We are impressed with COMSAT's capabilities and are confident in their expertise to deliver the state-of-the-art services we need."

"The agreement makes it possible for Silversea to offer a complete suite of communications services to its passengers and crew, regardless of where they are cruising. COMSAT's voice and data services permit them to access the Internet, respond to e-mails, download files and stay in touch with the office, clients, family and friends," said Kathryn Holman, vice president and general manager of COMSAT Mobile Communications.

Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line that features all-inclusive, value-priced air/sea fares, the most comprehensive in the industry. Silversea consistently has been awarded the distinction of the world's best small ship cruise line by cruise industry publications.

Silversea features all-suite accommodations, roundtrip airfare, deluxe pre-cruise accommodations, all port charges and transfers. In addition, all of its cruises include complimentary beverages, gratuities and, on select cruises, special shoreside events.

COMSAT Mobile Communications, a business unit of COMSAT Corporation, provides maritime, aeronautical and land mobile satellite services to customers around the world via the Inmarsat satellite system. COMSAT Corporation (NYSE: CQ), headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is a global provider of satellite services and digital networking services and technology.