Intelsat Carries HDTV Programming from Antarctica to Japan

Business Wire, April 1, 2003

Business Editors

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 2003

Japanese television viewers who have wondered about the scenery and environment of Antarctica can now see it in high-definition TV (HDTV). Using Intelsat's capacity and Japan Telecom's antenna facilities, NHK, a pioneer in HDTV, is broadcasting environmentally focused programming from the Showa base in Antarctica back to viewing households in Japan.

NHK has set up their HDTV "Hi-Vision" Broadcasting Center in the Antarctic, and is using the Intelsat 904 satellite located at 60 degrees E to carry a variety of environmentally-themed programs aimed at increasing public awareness of the global environment. The first HD feed from the Showa base in Antarctica occurred at 2:00 p.m. on 1 February to commemorate the exact time when Japanese TV broadcasting was launched 50 years earlier on NHK, and in conjunction with the launch of Intelsat's Occasional Video Services network.

Japan Telecom is utilizing a series of short-term video leases from Intelsat, receiving the content at their Kamiyamaguchi earth station in Japan and forwarding it to NHK's studios in Tokyo. They consulted with Intelsat engineers extensively and conducted over 30 hours of testing on the satellite to ensure a high-quality signal. Additionally, they supplied a flyaway antenna suitable for operation in harsh environments and secured over 100 hours of transmission time on the 904 satellite.

"It was very important for us to secure a provider that offers a consistently reliable and high-quality signal," said Masaru Ikeo, Executive Producer Science and Environment Programs at NHK. "We are very pleased that Japan Telecom chose the Intelsat system to carry our programming, as we feel it is imperative in HDTV broadcasts to have guaranteed broadcast quality and reach, both of which Intelsat offers."

NHK's Hi-Vision Broadcasting Center at the Showa base will be operational for one year. Programming will include various live and timed broadcasts about Earth and the environment, including live coverage of auroras from both the Arctic and Antarctic, the total eclipse of the sun and simultaneous HD live feeds, including from the "Subaru" Telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Okavango Delta in Botswana and the abyss of Monterey Bay in California.

Jon Romm, Intelsat President, Video Business Unit, added, "We are pleased that NHK, as the forerunner in HDTV, recognized Intelsat's capability to serve as the appropriate transmission provider on this project. Television distributors need to be aware that Intelsat has the know-how to support HDTV broadcasting and most other video services worldwide by relying on our complete worldwide network and talented staff."

About Intelsat

Intelsat, Ltd. offers telephony, corporate network, video and Internet solutions around the globe via capacity on 26 geosynchronous satellites in prime orbital locations. Customers in approximately 200 countries rely on Intelsat satellites and ground resources for quality connections, global reach and reliability. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

Some of the statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. These forward-looking statements reflect our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. Because actual results could differ materially from our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution. Intelsat does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.