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MSV Awards Boeing Contract for Three L-band Satellites |
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RESTON, Va., Jan. 12, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) has contracted Boeing (NYSE:BA) for the construction and delivery of three next generation L-band satellites to be launched beginning 2009.
MSV said the network will be based on the company’s patented Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) technology, which combines the best of satellite and cellular technology. It will deliver reliable, advanced and ubiquitous voice and data coverage throughout North and South America.
“The agreement with Boeing solidifies our commitment to building a ubiquitous network that provides seamless coverage to our end users in North and South America. We are excited at the prospect of completing this paradigm-shifting project ahead of schedule and to provide improved service in both rural and urban areas, eliminating the telecommunications divide,” said Alexander H. Good, vice chairman and CEO of MSV.
Howard Chambers, vice president of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, said in addition to providing mobile service to users in the most remote regions, Boeing technology deployed by MSV will keep lines of communication open for first responders in times of natural disasters. “Our focus on building powerful and highly complex satellites will deliver instantaneous access and mobility anywhere on the continent,” he said.
According to Boeing, the satellites will be among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever built. Each satellite's primary antenna will be almost 75 feet across, about twice as large as any previous commercial satellite. In addition to covering the Americas with hundreds of spot beams, the satellites will use MSV's patented ATC technology to deliver service to wireless devices that are virtually identical to cell phone handsets in terms of aesthetics, cost and functionality. MSV said the satellites will work in tandem with terrestrial based stations that provide coverage and capacity in urban areas where satellite signals are frequently blocked.
The contract with Boeing also provides for the delivery of the related ground based beam forming system and other ground design elements, to provide the most advanced beam forming flexibility and interference cancellation unprecedented in commercial satellite systems. These technological advances will allow MSV optimal deployment of its ATC technology and spectrum utilization.
“This agreement for the construction of the state of the art L-band system marks the beginning of an exciting new era for mobile communications in Canada and the United States,” said Larry J. Boisvert, chairman of MSV Canada. “It demonstrates the commitment of MSV and MSV Canada to bring the most advanced wireless services to the regions of the western hemisphere.”
The contract provides for the delivery of MSV-1 and MSV-2, which will replace and expand upon the current MSAT satellite system operated by MSV and MSV Canada. Like the MSAT satellites, the MSV-1 and MSV-2 satellites will cover Canada, the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean Basin, as well as Mexico. The third satellite, MSV-SA, will introduce MSV's advanced communications services into South America.
Boeing will build the spacecraft bus infrastructure, based on the world's most powerful satellite -- the Boeing 702. It will supply 11,000 Watts of power through 5-panel solar array wings using highly efficient triple-junction Gallium arsenide cells. Boeing will build upon a quarter-century heritage of integrating and deploying L-band technology. The 22 meter L-band reflector for mobile terminal links will complement a 1.5 meter Ku-band antenna.
The spacecraft will also be equipped with a qualified digital channelizer that maximizes spectrum allocation. With the constellation of MSV-1, MSV-2, and MSV-SA, Boeing will provide the technology that will enable MSV to offer their customers advanced mobile services using small, handheld terminals interoperable with terrestrial terminals. The signing of this contract kicks off, ahead of schedule, the regulatory construction milestone requirements for the satellites. The satellites are expected to be launched in 2009 and 2010.
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