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WorldSpace Commissions Terrestrial Repeater Prototypes for European Mobile Services |
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SILVER SPRING, Md., July 5, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― WorldSpace Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:WRSP) has signed an agreement with Sodielec, a French company specializing in transmission solutions, to develop terrestrial repeater prototypes that will enable WorldSpace to expand its satellite radio and data services to automobiles across Western Europe, beginning in Italy.
WorldSpace said Sodielec was selected through an RFP process that included corporations from around the world. The contract is valued at $1.02 million (0.8 million Euros) and includes prototype design and development as well as guaranteed pricing for subsequent large-scale production of at least one model.
According to WorldSpace, it expects to evaluate the Sodielec prototypes in Q4 2006 with production and deployment slated for 2007, when it expects to launch Europe's first digital satellite radio and data service for both portable and vehicular devices.
Alexander P. Brown, co-chief operating officer of WorldSpace, said the agreement fulfils a WorldSpace commitment to European business by extending the company’s digital radio services already enjoyed by consumers in India, Africa and the Middle East, to Italy and the rest of Western Europe.
In May 2006, WorldSpace Italia S.p.A., a majority-owned subsidiary of Worldspace, Inc.'s European holding company, Viatis Satellite Radio (VSR), received approval from the Italian Ministry of Communications to launch a subscription satellite radio service in Italy. Based on that authorization, Italy will become the first market in Western Europe to enjoy a wide variety of specialized audio content from the WorlSpace network using its mobile technology. The WorldSpace system already uses the only frequency band harmonized for satellite radio over Europe.
Recent Stories: WorldSpace Appoints Co-Chief Operating Officers WorldSpace Receives Approval for Satellite Radio Service in Italy |
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