Boeing

Connexion by Boeing ^SM, the revolutionary mobile information services provider, has signed a contract with Intelsat for transponder capacity onboard the Intelsat 709 satellite, supporting the provision of airborne broadband connectivity to commercial jetliners in route between Europe and North America. Terms of the agreement, which were not announced, call for the leasing of two transponders -- one each for transmit and receive -- onboard the satellite, which is located at 304.5 degrees East.

The addition of the Intelsat 709 satellite capacity supports advance system testing and bolsters satellite coverage for service demonstrations commencing in January 2003 for Lufthansa and one month later for British Airways. Connexion by Boeing will use transponders onboard the Brazilian Estrela do Sul 1 satellite, scheduled for launch in early 2003, for long-term service support in the North Atlantic region.

"As we conduct system readiness testing over the North Atlantic and prepare for our commercial service rollout, the addition of the Intelsat 709 satellite supports our plan for ensuring we are service ready on day one," said Joe Shaheen, director of Operational Services for Connexion by Boeing. "We've established our long-term plan for satellite capacity in this region and this additional transponder capacity allows us to remain solidly on schedule."

Malcolm Campbell, vice president Global Sales and Customer Support at Intelsat added, "Our satellite has worked extremely well during initial system tests performed over the North Atlantic region and we are confident that it will exceed expectations during commercial service as well. The high quality of Intelsat satellites and our global reach provides Connexion by Boeing with the capability to extend this service offering to other regions in the future."

As part of its global service expansion, Connexion by Boeing will integrate the leased capacity onboard the Intelsat 709 transponders into the growing list of satellite operators that are contributing to the delivery of the first true broadband Internet and data connectivity service for air travelers during flights over the North Atlantic -- a key commercial jetliner service route between the U.S. and Europe.