Microspace s New Satellite Transition Postponed

Satellite Transition Postponed

AMC-1 to SES-3, Transponders 12 & 22

August 11, 2014

As you know, Microspace Communications Corporation provides satellite services for your network in North America via the satellite known as AMC-1. AMC-1 is owned and operated by SES World Skies (SES).

Microspace notified your company that AMC-1 would be replaced by a replacement satellite named SES-3. At that time SES had notified Microspace that AMC-1 would be replaced by SES-3 on August 24, 2014. With that information we notified your company of the AMC-1 to SES-3 satellite transition.

However, within the past couple of days, SES has notified Microspace that the AMC-1 to SES-3 satellite transition has been postponed,

Why Has the AMC-1 to SES-3 Satellite Transition Been Postponed?

SES has been unable to obtain permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate the new full payload of SES-3 at the 103 degree west orbital location. SES-3 has three different frequency bands in the satellite's payload; C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band.

What is the Status of AMC-1?

AMC-1 continues to operate properly. As you may recall, a satellite's end-of-life is based upon its use of on-board fuel. SES's current fuel-use projections are that AMC-1 has fuel to operate until May of 2016. Based upon this information, Microspace is comfortable that AMC-1 will continue to perform properly.

When Is the New Transition Date?

Due to the fact that SES, who set the August 24, 2014 transition date, has been unable to get FCC authority in time for that date; it is difficult to predict a new transition date. SES and Microspace have agreed that after SES does receive FCC authority to operate SES-3, then we will begin an iterative process to set a new transition date.

As part of that process, Microspace wants to get input from you, our customer. Is 30, 45, or 60 days advance notice acceptable to your organization? We ask you to touch base with your Microspace Account Representative and give us your feedback on this subject.

Benefits of the New Satellite SES-3:

There are still strong benefits of the new satellite SES-3. We clearly expect a highly reliable signal from SES-3 at your downlink locations in North America. The satellite's higher power levels will provide additional rain-fade margin, presuming properly aligned antennas.

The new SES-3 satellite is expected to have improved adjacent satellite performance and it has a larger footprint than its predecessor. Additionally, since SES-3's operational life is currently projected to be the summer of 2023, you and your customers will be on a very stable, long-term delivery platform.

When Microspace receives notice from SES that they have received FCC authority to operate SES-3, we will notify your company of the new transition date. In the meantime, if there are specific questions you have, feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Joe Amor

Vice President & General Manager Microspace Communications Corporation 3100 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 120 Raleigh, NC 27604 919-850-4510 direct 919-850-4500 main office

________________________________________________________________

AMC-1 to SES-3 Technical Transition Team Contact Details:

Ron Burns, Chief Engineer: 919-850-4523, rburns@microspace.com

Chris Hall, Satellite Operations Supervisor: 919-850-4543, chall@microspace.com

AMC-1 to SES-3 Account Management Contact Details:

Greg Hurt, Vice President, Sales & Marketing: 919-850-4561 ghurt@microspace.com

John Bimrose, Director, Wireless Messaging & Broadcast: 919-850-4512 jbimrose@microspace.com

Curt Tilly, Director, Enterprise Media: 919-850-4527, ctilly@microspace.com

LINK:	http://microspace.com/2014/microspaces-august-24-satellite-transition-...
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