SES AMERICOM Provides Proactive Disaster Preparedness Capabilities during Natural Disasters

Business Wire,  June 24, 2008  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Satellite Communications Reestablish Critical Data and Voice Services Minutes After an Emergency Occurs: Customers in the Gulf Area Already Benefiting from Deployment

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Dedicated to keeping businesses running in the face of network outages and natural disasters, SES AMERICOM, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges: SESG), announced today that its REDiSat[TM] Network satellite communications technology is providing disaster recovery services to financial service providers in the Gulf of Mexico area, including St. Martin Bank & Trust in St. Martinville, Louisiana. With hurricane season approaching, it is imperative that all businesses properly prepare to ensure connectivity, regardless of a weather catastrophe or other crisis situation. According to the U.S. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, six to nine hurricanes - including as many as five major hurricanes with wind speeds above 111 miles (179 kilometers) per hour - will originate in the Atlantic during this six-month season.

In the wake of a natural disaster, restoring critical data and voice services is of paramount importance - especially for companies that rely on 24-7 connectivity. Banks and financial institutions need to ensure effective, real-time communication with employees, regulatory agencies, and the general public, as well as customers who want assurances that their deposits are safe and that they will have continued access to their funds. Now companies throughout the hurricane belt and across the United States can benefit from around-the-clock connectivity that vulnerable terrestrial networks simply cannot offer.

St. Martin Bank & Trust Company in St. Martinville, Louisiana signed up for the REDiSat service in early 2007, after witnessing the disruptions caused to the banking industry in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. "While we were not directly in the affected area, we witnessed the disruption first hand. We actually hosted a displaced bank in our training room for about three weeks following the storm. This experience caused us to further consider our options. With RediSat in place, we are able to establish communications with our remote disaster recovery location and get our non-affected locations up and running following a disaster. We found the solution to be economical. We've tested it. We know it works." stated Janet M. Douet, Sr. VP & COO of St. Martin Bank & Trust Company. St. Martin Bank & and Trust Company is a $275 million dollar bank operating a main office and ten branches in a four parish (county) area.

The SES AMERICOM REDiSat[TM] Network empowers businesses with 24-7 emergency readiness communication capabilities and can have companies up and running within seconds of a natural disaster situation. Delivered over SES AMERICOM's AMC-6 satellite, REDiSat offers a low-cost, customized solution and a compelling alternative to land-locked T1 circuits for both small and large businesses. A single pre-installed REDiSat Network satellite antenna can enable a business to mitigate risk and avoid shutdowns due to terrestrial network outages disrupted by physical breaks or extreme weather. The highly reliable REDiSat service leverages SES AMERICOM's satellite fleet, which carries millions of secure, mission-critical business transactions every day and has been used by U.S. Government agencies and Fortune 500 companies for more than 30 years.

"For business to function seamlessly in a disaster situation, priority telecommunication service is invaluable," said Orlando Skelton, SES AMERICOM's Vice President of Enterprise Services. "With the proactive deployment of the REDiSat[TM] Network, customers can rest assured that remote offices will be able to reestablish critical data and voice services virtually within minutes, regardless of damage or crashes to local phone and internet infrastructures."

About SES AMERICOM www.ses-americom.com

As the leading supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communications and content distribution solutions. The company, recognized as a major innovator of advanced satellite communications services, operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. Government.

SES AMERICOM is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). SES wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company also holds 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe as well as strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.