IP: if you must call

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

COMSAT INTRODUCES PLANET 1 
WORLD'S FIRST PORTABLE, GLOBAL PERSONAL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM


PLANET 1 Allows Users to Send and Receive Calls, Faxes or E-mail Anywhere 
in the World


BETHESDA, MD -- COMSAT Mobile Communications today introduced the
world's first personal satellite communications (PSC) system, PLANET
1.  Available by mid-1996, PLANET 1 terminals will retail for $2,995,
with an all-inclusive (fully terminated) charge of $3 per minute
(pending FCC approval).  The PLANET 1 system integrates cellular and
mobile satellite technologies to offer seamless global, personal voice
and data communications from a portable, notebook-sized terminal.


COMSAT's PLANET 1 terminal, manufactured by NEC, a world leader in
electronics, incorporates the functionality of a standard business
phone with value-added features such as single-number global roaming,
voice/fax mail notification, paging and call-in-absence indicator.  In
addition to the high-quality digital voice and data capabilities,
PLANET 1 will also provide mobile data services such as E-mail,
Internet access and short messaging service.
 
"PLANET 1 meets the immediate need for seamless, worldwide personal
communications and is the only truly portable, global wireless service
available today," said COMSAT President and Chief Executive Officer,
Bruce L. Crockett.


This affordable new service will deliver a reliable communications
tool for global business professionals and anyone whose needs are not
currently serviced by cellular or telephone systems.
 
"NEC is proud to be involved in the development of the world's first
personal satellite communications system. The PLANET 1 terminal will
revolutionize global personal communications and make satellite
communications more portable and affordable than ever before," said
Mineo Sugiyama, president of NEC America.  "Moving forward, we are
committed to working with COMSAT to make PLANET 1 the standard for
global, wireless communications.
 
PLANET 1 uses subscriber identity module (SIM) cards for security and
flexibility.  These cards provide for consolidation of monthly billing
statements for customers using both cellular and PLANET 1 services and
can be programmed with pre-determined usage allowance.  SIM cards also
allow companies to create a terminal pool where multiple employees,
each with their own SIM card and billing account, can share a limited
number of terminals.
 
PLANET 1 will provide secure digital communications channels using the
high-powered spot beam technology of the Inmarsat-3 satellites.  Spot
beams allow smaller equipment to be used because they focus a greater
concentration of power onto the earths surface and are extremely
spectrum-efficient because they provide for frequency re-use within
each beam, which translates into less expensive per-minute charges.
The spot beams also allow for system management unavailable previously
on the Inmarsat system. These beams can be re-positioned over land
mass areas where there is the greatest demand for services and permit
a distinction between national and international calls, enabling new
pricing strategies to be devised.  Each Inmarsat-3 has five high-power
spot beams providing up to 2,200 circuits.
 
PLANET 1 will be distributed by established cellular and wireless
distribution channels.


A proven leader and innovator with more than 30 years of experience in
global satellite communications, COMSAT is the first service provider
to introduce a complete PSC solution to the global marketplace.
 
PLANET 1 is the first practical voice, fax and data communications
product the international business traveler can use anywhere, anytime,
said Traver H. Kennedy, director of wide area network services and
research at Aberdeen Group, Inc.  "The terminal design, its size,
weight and interface will deliver on the promise of true individual
mobile communication."


NEC America, Inc., an affiliate of NEC Corporation, develops,
manufactures, and markets a complete line of advanced communications
products and software for public and private networks.  NEC
Corporation and its affiliates worldwide are a $43 billion global
leader whose 151,000 employees are dedicated to providing leading-edge
computer, communications and semiconductor products and services.
 
COMSAT Mobile Communications is the business unit of COMSAT
Corporation (NYSE:CQ) that provides mobile satellite communications to
maritime, aeronautical and land-mobile customers around the world via
the Inmarsat satellite system.  COMSAT is the largest shareholder in
the Inmarsat satellite communications network of more than 70 global
signatories.  COMSAT Corporation is a global provider of
communications and entertainment products and services.




Editorial Contacts: Eileen Pacheco
   Creamer Dickson Basford
   (617) 467-1576


   Judith Pryor
   COMSAT Mobile Communications
   (301) 214-3432


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