PanAmSat Inks Deal with Grupo Pegaso to Launch Satellite Internet Service in Mexico
Pegaso Banda Ancha Will Provide ISPs with Nationwide Satellite Broadband Coverage
WILTON, CT, April 6, 2005 — PanAmSat Corporation announced today that Grupo W-Com, a Grupo PEGASO company, has selected PanAmSat to support its new satellite-based broadband Internet service. Pegaso Banda Ancha will provide DTH providers, local telcos and cable television operators with nationwide two-way broadband service for consumers, enterprises and hotels. Pegaso Banda Ancha plans to initiate its service in Mexico and expand to Central and South America as well as the United States.
“The scale and scope of Pegaso Banda Ancha is unprecedented. This project underscores the importance and strength of our partnership with Grupo Pegaso as we team up to bring satellite-based IP services to Mexico,” said Carmen González Sanfeliu, vice president, Latin America Operations, PanAmSat. “The unique advantage of satellites is they can be quickly deployed and activated anywhere there is a clear view of the sky. By making this solution affordable and competitive, we are able to bring broadband to many more locations than ever before.”
PanAmSat is supporting Pegaso Banda Ancha with a combination of satellite and terrestrial services including dedicated national Mexican coverage on its PAS-1R spacecraft as well as high speed Internet connectivity and ground support for Pegaso’s Surfbeam hub in PanAmSat’s global customer service center located in Ellenwood, Georgia.
“Through this partnership, we can now provide residential customers and corporations with high speed Internet access via satellite at a price that is directly competitive with similar terrestrial offerings,” said Javier Braun Burillo, general director of Pegaso Banda Ancha. “In addition, we are able to reach areas that are currently not served by traditional high speed terrestrial connections. This is truly the first alternative to terrestrial broadband communications in the region.”
Grupo PEGASO and PanAmSat Corporation aligned in 2001 to form PanAmSat de México, Mexico’s first service provider authorized to use non-Mexican satellites, which provides video, data and Internet services as well as the greatest broadband capacity available throughout Mexico. PanAmSat de México also offers access to PanAmSat’s global satellite fleet to deliver solutions to data and video customers in Mexico.
“When we forged our partnership with Pegaso four years ago, we shared a common objective of bringing broadband via satellite to Mexico and the Americas. Pegaso is an expert in the Mexican market and has perfectly timed the introduction of this service,” said Bruce Haymes, senior vice president, Business Development, PanAmSat “We are delighted to be their partner and we look forward to expanding our relationship and service offerings with them.”
PanAmSat’s PAS-1R Atlantic Ocean Region spacecraft is a Boeing 702, one of the world’s largest, most powerful commercial geostationary satellites. With 72 transponders, it offers an expanded and enhanced reach throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. The Atlanta teleport is PanAmSat’s primary satellite transmissions gateway to Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. It provides crucial turnaround services between the Atlantic Ocean Region and the U.S.
About Grupo PEGASO
Grupo PEGASO is a Mexican consortium headed by Alejandro Burillo Azcárraga that is involved in key activities such as telecommunications, banking, real estate, media content, sports and culture. Grupo PEGASO started operations in 1994 having set as its main objective the merging of technology and telecommunications for the country’s development. As of today, Grupo PEGASO holds investments in more than 30 noteworthy national and international companies.
About PanAmSat de México
PanAmSat de México is a Mexican company that is 49 percent owned by PanAmSat Corporation and 51 percent owned by Corporativo W.com, S. de R.L. de C.V., a holding company created by Mr. Alejandro Burillo, majority owner of the private equity investment firm Grupo Pegaso. PanAmSat de México has offices in Mexico City, Mexico, and is the exclusive provider of PanAmSat satellite services within Mexico.
About PanAmSat
Through its owned and operated fleet of 23 satellites, PanAmSat (NYSE: PA) is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. In total, the Company’s in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world’s population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. For more information, visit the Company’s web site at www.panamsat.com.
