Mobile Satellite Ventures Launches Southeastern U.S. Regional Public Safety Communications Network

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) today announced that in cooperation with the Fairfax County, Virginia, Office of Emergency Management and Department of Public Safety Communications will create and manage the South East Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroup (SE-SMART) operating on the MSV satellite communications network.

SE-SMART is the eighth, multi-state, regionally-focused and managed talkgroup provided by MSV to facilitate rapid, reliable and interoperable communications over satellite for public safety operations and emergency responders. Working with national, state and local public safety agencies, MSV has already helped establish SMART™ talkgroups serving 42 states across the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In coordination with MSV, the Fairfax County OEM and DPCS will manage, provide 24x7 monitoring, and approve participation in SE-SMART by federal, state, tribal, and local public safety agencies - and appropriate private sector users with a public safety mission - located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

This new southeastern regional talkgroup enables critical and interoperable communications at all levels of public safety agencies and facilities in this 12-state region and the District of Columbia. For those agencies already using MSV’s technology, these talkgroups represent a major step forward in public safety interoperability, particularly when terrestrial networks are damaged or congested.

“Enhancing public safety and emergency response communication interoperability is at the core of MSV’s satellite mutual aid radio talkgroup program,” said Susan Miller, senior vice president for satellite services for MSV. “Working with the Fairfax County OEM and DPSC, we have found a proactive communications partner focused on implementing solutions, such as SE-SMART, to improve interoperability during emergencies as well as for day-to-day operations.”

SE-SMART is the latest in a rapidly growing family of nationwide and regionally-focused talkgroups, provided by MSV but managed and controlled by the organizing federal, tribal, state or local agency. These include nationwide public safety and national security/emergency preparedness talkgroups managed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security’s National Communications System (NCS).

All public safety organizations operating throughout the southeastern United States with active accounts on the MSV network are eligible and encouraged to join SE-SMART at no charge by way of application to the Fairfax County OEM and DPCS. A copy of the Standard Operating Procedures and application to join SE-SMART are available from: SESMART@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling Ed Gerow at 703-280-0681.

MSV is Redefining Wireless Communications™ through its development of a integrated satellite-terrestrial communications network, based on MSV’s patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology. The company expects its next-generation network will provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. MSV plans to launch two of the most powerful commercial satellites ever built that will enable this network to support communications in a variety of market segments including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services.

Mobile Satellite Ventures is a joint venture between Mobile Satellite Ventures LP and Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. MSVLP is owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: SKYT.OB).

About Mobile Satellite Ventures (www.msvlp.com)

MSV delivers mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. The company’s next-generation hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network is expected to provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional handsets. When completed, the network will support communications in a variety of market segments including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation and entertainment, by providing a platform for interoperable, user-friendly and feature-rich voice and high-speed data services. Mobile Satellite Ventures is a joint venture between Mobile Satellite Ventures LP and Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. MSVLP is owned and controlled by SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: SKYT.OB).

Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to plans described in this news release. Such statements generally include words such as could, can, anticipate, believe, expect, seek, pursue, proposed, potential and similar words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties relating to the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to raise additional capital or consummate a strategic transaction or deploy the next generation system, as well as the ability of SkyTerra and MSV to execute their business plan. We assume no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.

Mobile Satellite Ventures LP
Tom Surface, 703-390-1579
M: 703-462-3837
tsurface@msvlp.com