Archive News in Year 2010

February 2010

Talia Introduces iDirect-Based VSAT Consumer Internet Service For Middle East, Africa And Europe

Herndon, London, and Dubai, March 2, 2010 — Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited’s (ST Electronics) related US satellite communication company, VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect) today announced that Talia Limited, a market-leading provider of satellite and communications services, has launched Talia Home, a consumer-focused Internet and telephone communications service for subscribers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Talia Home is powered by iDirect Evolution technology and offers a highly reliable service at an affordable rate, bringing connectivity to those who could not previously afford a satellite-based service. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

Bridging the digital divide: Service from $50 per month, complete hardware bundles from $599
Talia Home is a Ku-band service, running on SES Worldskies NSS-12 in the Middle East and Europe, and Telesat Telstar 11N in Africa. Individual user services start  from as low as $50 per month for an uncapped service, with business and enterprise services as upgrade options. Complete hardware bundles, consisting of antenna, BUC, LNB, and iDirect Evolution X3 remote, are available from Talia from as low as $599.

Connecting the world: Talia Voice with Talia Home
All Talia Home services include access to Talia Voice, a Voice over IP service designed to work in concert with VSAT services. Inexpensive worldwide calling as well as incoming call services are available through a pre-paid voucher system, and network resources required for call quality are included in the per minute cost.

iDirect technology powers Talia Home
In a multi-million dollar agreement, iDirect's Evolution technology sits at the heart of Talia Home, enabling Talia to ensure affordable, high quality connectivity and guarantee reliable Service Level Agreements. The performance of the iDirect Evolution platform, iDirect’s Group Quality of Service technology and forthcoming advancements to the platform were all factors in Talia’s decision.

Talia Home brings a reliable Internet connection to users who most need it in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. iDirect gives us the flexibility to share bandwidth across a large area while keeping operating costs at a minimum so we can introduce connectivity to a greater number of people at a price they can more readily afford.

Alan AFRASIAB
President and Chief Executive Officer, Talia

We are proud that Talia has selected iDirect's platform to introduce a consumer service designed to bring connectivity to populations currently without basic Internet access. Talia is taking a critical step forward by introducing a large-scale consumer service with a far reaching footprint. The key to this service’s success is affordability and reliability – two important standards that have become hallmarks of the iDirect platform.

Stephen TUNNICLIFFE
Vice President, Europe, iDirect

Visit Talia and iDirect at CABSAT 2010
The Talia and iDirect teams will be on hand at CABSAT 2010 in Dubai, March 2-4. Talia’s booth is located in D2-12, Hall 2, in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The iDirect booth can be found in C3-11, Hall 2.

Talia is a top-tier provider of Internet and voice services, recognised as one of the fastest growing satellite Internet providers in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Experts in VSAT, wireless, and voice communications, Talia provides network coverage, services and support in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Headquartered in London, Talia operates their own teleport facility in Germany and have support and sales offices in Dubai. Regardless of location, Talia is committed to excellent customer service and top-grade solutions. For more information about Talia, please see: http://www.talia.net.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, 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.

ST Electronics, the electronics arm of ST Engineering, delivers innovative system solutions to government, commercial, defence, and industrial customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 30 cities in 20 countries, ST Electronics markets its solutions to more than 80 countries internationally. It specialises in the design, development and integration of advanced electronics and communications systems, such as broadband radio frequency and satellite communication, e-Government solutions, information communications technologies and IT, rail and traffic management, real-time command and control, modelling and simulation, interactive digital media, intelligent building management and information security. Please visit www.stee.stengg.com.

Media contact:

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

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