Iridium® Will Provide Satellite Links for New Nationwide Rail Communication Infrastructure in Australia
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BETHESDA, Md. - June 11, 2007 - Telstra Corporation has awarded an eight-year contract, valued at $3.0-$3.5 million, to Beam Communications Pty Ltd to supply Iridium®-based satellite equipment as part of a new interstate communication infrastructure for the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC).
The new rail communication system for ARTC will provide a single integrated network covering more than 10,000 kilometers of rail track nationwide. It will replace older technologies, such as two-way radios and CDMA devices, with Telstra's Next G(TM) technology with satellite backup, permitting trains and controllers to communicate seamlessly across the entire national rail network.
Telstra will integrate the Iridium circuit-switched data service into its network infrastructure, providing satellite interfaces for real-time data transmission to and from locomotives across the service area as well as backup voice channels for emergency communications. Locomotives will be fitted with Beam satellite voice and data terminals, integrated into the trains' communication systems. Beam will also supply its SatRADIO system for use in tunnels.
"Iridium's robust network quality and ubiquitous coverage across the Australian continent make it the ideal satellite solution for ARTC's demanding requirements for a reliable and redundant communication infrastructure," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite.
"The signing of this agreement reflects Telstra's continued support of Beam's capabilities and our expertise as a leading provider of satellite communication solutions. The eight-year agreement provides a fundamental platform for the Beam business going forward, from which we are then able to take the application of these products to other Beam resellers throughout the world," said Michael Capocchi, general manager of Beam. "This will also be an important opportunity to showcase the unique capabilities of our SatRADIO technology, which provides a two-way push-to-talk radio interface with the Iridium satellite terminals, permitting uninterrupted connection with the satellites when passing through tunnels."
The ARTC contract is the second large deal to be awarded to Beam by Telstra this year. Last month, Beam also announced a $4.2 million order to supply a range of fixed-site and in-vehicle satellite telephones for the Telstra Universal Service Obligation (USO) program and other in-field support services in Australia. A major component is Beam's Remote Satellite Terminal that emulates a standard voice-based telephone service over the Iridium satellite network. Beam, an Iridium value-added manufacturer, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tele-IP Ltd.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 150 partners.
About Beam Communications Pty Ltd
The Beam subsidiary (www.beamcomm.net) was established in late 2002, making a substantial investment in the development and manufacturing of remote satellite communications solutions for the global telecommunications market. Beam became the first company to design and manufacture a fully compliant POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) emulation system for the Iridium Satellite network. Now one of the leading global manufacturers of Iridium-based satellite communications equipment, Beam offers the widest range of Iridium solutions across all market segments, and is particularly focused on the exploitation of the newly-released Iridium data module, targeted at asset tracking and other applications. Beam prides itself on its ability to develop broad market applications as well as specific dedicated products and solutions.
About Tele-IP Ltd
Tele-IP (tele-ip.com.au) is an Australian company focused on the development and sale of products and services to the telecommunications markets in Australia and overseas through Beam Communications. Tele-IP's network services division and PBX reseller business, through its base of over 4,000 customers, is particularly well positioned in the Voice over IP market through its market-leading product portfolio.
About Telstra
Telstra (www.telstra.com) is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, offering a full range of services and providing more than 9.86 million Australian fixed-lines and more than 8.9 million mobile services. One of Telstra's major strengths lies in providing integrated telecommunications services to the vast geographical expanse of the continent through both a fixed and mobile network infrastructure. This network and systems infrastructure underpins the carriage and termination of the majority of Australia's domestic and international voice and data telephony traffic.
About ARTC Ltd
The Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (www.artc.com.au) was created in 1997. ARTC has responsibility for the management of over 10,000 route kilometers of standard gauge interstate track in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales. ARTC also manages the Hunter Valley Coal Rail Network and other regional rail links in New South Wales. The company's shares are owned by the Commonwealth and overseen by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and Minister for Finance and Administration on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Press Contacts:
Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+ 1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
