SkyTerra's Mobile Satellite Ventures

SkyTerra's Mobile Satellite Ventures, ICO Globalsatellite technology we have seen the depth of
Communications, and Qualcomm Signexperience that they bring to this project. In addition,
Groundbreaking Technology Agreement Enablingwe look forward to working with our colleagues at
First-Ever Integration of Satellite Communications intoMSV as we collaboratively develop this new
Mass Market Cellular Handsets and Devicestechnology."
Combined satellite-cellular communications will become"Qualcomm's satellite technology extends 3G to yet
a reality for consumers, enterprise, government andanother dimension of wireless communications," said
public safety users with an agreement announcedPeggy Johnson, executive vice president of
today by and among Mobile Satellite Ventures LPQualcomm America's and India. "Our work with MSV,
(MSV), a subsidiary of SkyTerra Communications, Inc.ICO and other market innovators will enable
, ICO Global Communications Limited (ICO) , andinnovative hybrid services and help pave the way for
Qualcomm Incorporated. This agreement will enablenew uses of the mobile satellite bands."
devices to have ubiquitous mobile communicationsUnder the agreement, Qualcomm will develop a
coverage from anywhere in North America, includingsatellite protocol and include it in the firmware of
areas where traditional cellular service is currentlyselect upcoming Qualcomm multi-mode baseband
unavailable or unreliable.chips. Qualcomm will also support the L- and S-Band
Under the agreement, Qualcomm will integratefrequencies, in which MSV and ICO operate, in select
satellite and cellular communication technology inRF processors.
select multi-mode mobile baseband chips. As a result,The new chips are expected to be available beginning
for the first time ever, satellite connectivity will bein 2010. Qualcomm will sell and support its hybrid
enabled in mass-market wireless handsets andmobile satellite services (MSS)/terrestrial chipsets to
devices. The same mobile chipsets forming the heartmobile device vendors in the same manner it does
of handsets and other devices will enable handsettoday. This will enable terminal OEMs to provide a full
vendors to produce satellite-capable devices atrange of handhelds and mobile computing devices
comparable scale and cost.capable of terrestrial connectivity with 3GPP and
"This agreement marks a truly historic milestone in3GPP2technologies across the L- and S-Bands, as
the evolution of the wireless industry," remarkedwell as a wide range of existing mobile terrestrial
Alex Good, chairman, CEO and president ofbands.
SkyTerra. "For the first time, satellite communications"The integrated satellite-terrestrial market presents
can achieve economies of scale traditionally enjoyedan exciting opportunitywith more than 100 MHz of
in the cellular marketplace today. Combined with ourspectrum potentially addressable on a global basis,"
powerful next-generation satellites, Qualcomm'sadded Good. "We anticipate that additional operators
technology will enable mobile communicationswill take advantage of satellite data optimized
between terrestrial and satellite network layers usingtechnology as the systems evolve."
ordinary mobile devices."In connection with entering into the agreement,
> "One of the cornerstone features of ICOsubject to certain rights of termination, MSV and ICO
mim™ (mobile interactive media), and of all futurehave entered into a mutual non-assertion
ICO MSS ATC products, is satellite interactivity, andagreement with respect to relevant aspects of their
this agreement enables two-way satellite services forrespective patent portfolios as well as certain other
a wide variety of mainstream wireless devices,"related agreements to the Qualcomm development
noted Tim Bryan, ICO's chief executive officer.effort.
"Through our current contract with Qualcomm on