SES ASTRA Welcomes ntl To Client List.

Luxembourg -- The UK and Europe's foremost direct-to-home (DTH) satellite company, SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext:SESG) (FWB:SESG)is delighted to announce its first transponder contract with the Broadcast division of communications giant ntl. The agreement gives ntl additional capacity in the rapidly expanding UK market for small channel launches.

The deal allows ntl to offer a seamless one-stop-shop solution including studio facilities and playout services from its Broadcast Media Centre at Feltham, contribution links, and the ASTRA 28.2 degrees East satellite uplink and downlink. It will be of particular interest to new broadcasters and satellite channel start-ups.

Steve Holebrook, Media Solutions Director at ntl, said: "This agreement is an exciting step for us and a significant development in the scope of our service offering. We can now provide a complete package for satellite broadcasters and we already have a number of channels lined up to go on."

ntl's Broadcast division provides end-to-end service solutions for satellite channels and transmission services for terrestrial broadcasters. The company uplinks around 150 services from three teleports in London and Hampshire. It also provides comprehensive studio and playout services, and a full range of satellite newsgathering facilities including fully crewed production and uplink vehicles.

SES ASTRA Sales and Marketing Senior Vice President Alexander Oudendijk, said: "ntl's broadcast division has a long history in broadcast transmission and has helped pioneer digital technologies. A client with this kind of pedigree is yet another coup for SES ASTRA and speaks volumes about our expertise and experience."

The ASTRA satellite system is Europe's leading direct-to-home (DTH) satellite system. It is used by a wide range of broadcast and multimedia companies to deliver free-to-air and pay broadcast as well as broadband services to more than 94 million DTH and cable households in Europe.

ASTRA's 13 satellites transmit over 1400 analogue and digital TV and radio channels as well as multimedia and internet services. Its two prime DTH orbital positions are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East. Professional services such as Satellite News Gathering and Cable Contribution transmit from 23.5 degrees and 5.2 degrees East. Additional info: www.ses-astra.com

About ntl's Broadcast division

ntl provides end-to-end media solutions to the broadcast industry across terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms. This includes satellite uplinking, satellite newsgathering, outside broadcast facilities, programme presentation, play-out and distribution. 22 million UK homes receive ITV, Channel 4 and Five via ntl's national broadcast transmitter networks. ntl also provides transmission for most UK independent radio stations, both analogue and digital. Further information can be found at www.ntlbroadcast.com

ABOUT ASTRA

The ASTRA Satellite System is Europe's leading Direct-to-Home satellite system, delivering services to more than 94 million Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1400 analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH (Direct-To-Home) services are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East. Professional services like Direct-to-Cable (DTC), Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital positions of 23.5 degrees/24.2 degrees East and 5.2 degrees East.

SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt stock exchanges: SESG). SES GLOBAL owns two market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, and SES AMERICOM in the US. The Company also holds strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One and Nahuelsat in Latin America, and NSAB in Europe. Via its WORLDSAT subsidiary it provides unparalleled connections to the premier regional satellite fleets of these SES GLOBAL partners. Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US government and its contractors. SES GLOBAL can provide outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 40 satellites across the globe. In addition, SES GLOBAL is a shareholder in ORBCOMM, a provider of wireless data communications services through a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, and in satellite technology companies Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and ND Satcom. Last but not least, SES GLOBAL is a founding shareholder in SATLYNX, a Luxembourg based joint venture with Gilat and Alcatel Space, which has created an unrivalled portfolio of reliable and cost-efficient two-way satellite broadband service solutions to enterprises/corporates, small office/home office (SOHO) users and local communities all over Europe. Additional info on SES GLOBAL at: www.ses-global.com.