france telecom mobile satellite communications sig

Told you news was coming, still more to come


23 December 2005
The Manager
Company Announcements Platform
Australian Stock Exchange
Dear Sir,
Announcement for Immediate Release
France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications signs with
Beam Communications
Tele-IP announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Beam Communications,
has appointed France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, as a Reseller of
Beam’s Satellite products to the global satellite communications market. France
Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications SA is a 100% -owned subsidiary of
France Telecom.
France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications provides global voice and data
telecommunication services via satellite, offering a complete coverage of the earth
and oceans and markets three ranges of mobile satellite services, namely,
Inmarsat, Thuraya and Iridium.
France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has a highly active distribution
network abroad of over 200 distributors, and has subsidiaries in 9 countries,
including The Netherlands, France, Germany, Middle East, Dubai, Algeria, USA,
Singapore, Hong Kong and China.
The company’s services are mainly used by professionals, especially by those who
are far from their "base," operating in areas not serviced by terrestrial networks.
Its business clientele has a strong proportion of customers in the maritime industry
(navy, merchant shipping, cruises, fishing, sailing, off-shore platforms etc.), and
among professionals on land, including media, NGOs, security, construction, oil &
gas and transportation sectors.
In 2004, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications activities generated a
turnover of €160 million. FTMSC has a 20% share of the overall market for
Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya mobile satellite services.
Mr Floris Birkman, Iridium Product Manager, France Telecom Mobile Satellite
Communication Services, said “Beam has developed a range of products that have
now become integral to France Telecom’s overall product offering for Iridium
solutions. Beam continues to develop products for specific market applications and
it is important for us to offer our customers Beam’s products”
Mr Michael Capocchi, General Manager of Beam Communications, said “The
appointment of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications as another major
Reseller in Beam’s distribution network is very positive for Beams continuing
expansion into the global satellite markets. The global office of France Telecom
Mobile Satellite Communications will be integral in providing added distribution into
the Asia and Middle East markets especially.“
Beam continues to grow its global reseller network to support the increasing
demand for Beam’s satellite solutions into the rapidly growing asset tracking and
the fixed and mobile.
About France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications SA
France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications is a subsidiary of France Telecom
which markets satellite mobile services (Inmarsat, Thuraya and Iridium). The
professional customer base involves a wide range of marine sectors (navy,
merchant navy, pleasure boats, cruisers and fishing boats), the media, NGOs,
security, construction, the oil and transport industry. In 2004, France Telecom
Mobile Satellite Communications generated a turnover of € 161 million. It has a
very active distribution network abroad and sales offices in France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Algeria, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. France
Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has a 20% market share of Inmarsat,
Thuraya and Iridium .
More information www.francetelecom-mobilesat.com
About Beam Communications Pty Ltd
The Beam subsidiary was established in late 2002, making a substantial
investment in the development and manufacturing of Remote Satellite
Communications solutions for the global telecommunications market. Beam
became the first company to design and manufacture a fully compliant POTS (Plain
Old Telephone Service) emulation system for the Iridium Satellite network.
Now one of the leading manufacturers of Iridium-based satellite communications
equipment, Beam offers the widest range of Iridium solutions across all market
segments. Beam prides itself on its ability to develop broad market applications as
well as specific dedicated products and solutions for all market applications.
More information www.beamcomm.net
About Tele-IP Limited
Tele-IP is an Australian company focused on the development and sale of products
and services to the telecommunications markets in Australia and overseas through
its satellite and network services divisions and recently acquired PBX reseller
businesses, providing it with access to over 4,000 new customers.
More information www.tele-ip.com
Yours faithfully,
Ian May
Managing Director