Archive News in Year 2009

December 2009

iDirect Upgrades Orange Business Services' IP Satellite Network To Next-Generation DVB-S2 Standard

Improved space segment efficiency to help carrier expand satellite service in enterprise and maritime markets

Herndon, Va., December 7, 2009 — Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited's (ST Electronics) related US satellite communication company, VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), today announced that Orange Business Services has expanded its satellite network to include a DVB-S2 broadband service based on iDirect's Evolution platform. Orange Business Services is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunications services to multinational companies, and this upgrade will strengthen the satellite services it offers as part of its fully managed Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution, Business VPN. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

Orange Business Services has integrated the iDirect satellite communications platform, including 16 iDirect hubs stationed at eight teleports, with Business VPN. This seamless network enables Orange Business Services to offer the same next-generation IP broadband service over satellite that it already provides terrestrially. DVB-S2 allows Orange Business Services to combat the satellite bandwidth shortage in some areas of the world by using the available bandwidth in a more efficient way, while maintaining the demanding Service Level Agreements that customers require.

The greater economy of scale will help Orange Business Services expand its service further into growing markets:

Extending the reach of enterprise networks. The service will improve how commercial and government organizations connect remote offices to the Internet backbone and to VPNs. With DVB-S2 bandwidth efficiencies, Orange Business Services customers can expand their use of bandwidth-intensive enterprise applications and Voice over IP (VoIP) connectivity while benefiting from a consistent network experience across all their sites.

Greater mileage for global maritime offering. The iDirect platform will be leveraged to enhance the new, global Maritime Satellite Service from Orange Business Services. iDirect's implementation of Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) will enable Orange Business Services to preserve network performance during adverse weather conditions.

Demand has dramatically increased for our global IP service over satellite as our customers look to integrate all their offices and users onto a common network, whether across rural bank branches or maritime vessels. iDirect's Evolution platform enables Orange Business Services to use satellite capacity more efficiently and provide the service quality and reliability we're known for, no matter where our customers are located.

Michel VERBIST
Product Manager, Satellite Solutions, Orange Business Services

iDirect's Evolution platform will play an important role in helping Orange Business Services extend its next-generation IP broadband service to satellite customers. Our technologies work hand in hand to deliver a seamless, reliable service that businesses, governments and other organizations can trust to run local operations and connect to the world.

Stephen TUNNICLIFFE
Regional Sales Vice President, Europe, iDirect

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators. With 126 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. At the end of 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion euros (38.1 billion euros for the first nine months of 2009) and at Sept. 30, 2009, the Group had a customer base of 190 million customers in 32 countries. These include 128.8 million mobile customers and 13.4 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers worldwide. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number two provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunications services to multinational companies. The Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator, while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system. France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information: www.orange.com, www.francetelecom.com, www.orange-business.com.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.

iDirect is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company's satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. These include extending private networks to remote offices; supporting mobile connectivity across land, sea and air; providing rural telephony and Internet broadband; and maintaining communications in the wake of disasters and network failures. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ integrates advanced technology into iDirect's portfolio of hubs, routers and network management software to address the growing complexity of deploying and managing global IP networks. With more than 13 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in 50 countries through a diverse network of channel partners, including some of the largest satellite providers, operators and carriers in the world and seven of the World Teleport Association's Global Top Ten. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Please visit www.idirect.net.

Media contact:

Magdalen Loh
AVP / Head, Corporate Communications
Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited
Tel: (65) 6413 1788 / 9822 3321
Fax: (65) 6484 8840
Email: magloh@stee.stengg.com

Julie Gouldin
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
iDirect
Phone: (1) 703-648-8155
Fax: (1) 703-648-8015
Email: jgouldin@idirect.net