Archive for January 23rd, 2009

Today Euroconsult North America, subsidiary of

Euroconsult, the leading international consulting and analyst firm specialized in the satellite sector,

and Irwin Communications, the foremost consulting and market research firm specialized in

satellite communications, based in Washington, DC, announced a strategic partnership to provide

consulting services to leading American and Canadian companies and government agencies in the

satellite communications (SatCom) and broadcast markets. The partnership will enable the two firms

to tap into their complementary areas of expertise to deliver a wide range of consulting and research

services including strategic decision-making support, market analysis and forecasting, due diligence

and financial valuations, and policy and regulatory review.

According to Steve Bochinger, Managing Director at Euroconsult North America, “The North American

satellite market is facing major changes in a shifting political, financial and market environment. Our

recently-opened office in North America and partnership with Irwin Communications will enable us to

help companies and government agencies meet the profound new challenges they will face in the

near future.”

Changing government priorities will likely impact the sector, including a re-focus of military operations,

new directions in civil and military funding, and possibly greater emphasis on new political issues such

as environment and climate change. On the commercial side, the economic crisis is likely to force

many companies to look to the international marketplace for growth, requiring strategies and

structures to reach customers in emerging markets.

“This time of unique challenges in the global satellite industry requires unique solutions. Partnering

with Euroconsult enables us to leverage their international leadership and experience, and combine it

with our business and technology expertise to provide unsurpassed benefits to our industry,” said

Susan Irwin, President of Irwin Communications.

Among the challenges ahead in the private sector:

- Satellite operators’ key customers may reconsider their needs for satellite capacity. The

broadcast sector is likely to see increasing competition and a rethinking of business models, with

the likely emergence of new leaders.

- New businesses, including broadband and mobile services (including ATC), will likely be forced to

refine their business models and to secure financing.

- Despite a strong domestic government market, Earth observation commercial operators will need

to look beyond national borders for growth (to both government and commercial customers).

Euroconsult has 25 years of experience providing independent assessment to decision-makers in the

satellite sector worldwide including market, business, financial and policy review. Euroconsult

conducts an ongoing research program and compiles comprehensive proprietary databases, which

serve as a cornerstone to its forecasts and expertise. Irwin communications has built an in-depth

understanding of the business and technology of the satellite industry, combined with strong

relationships throughout the industry. Their areas of expertise include fixed and mobile satellite

services, direct-to-home services, distance learning, VSAT, business television, IPTV, HDTV, and

satellite broadband services.

About Euroconsult

Euroconsult is the leading international consulting and analyst firm specialized in satellite applications,

communications, and digital broadcasting. Euroconsult provides strategic consulting and analysis, develops

comprehensive research reports and forecasts, , and produces world summits. With 25 years of experience and

more than 350 satellite-related consulting assignments, Euroconsult has over 560 clients in 50 countries,

including leaders throughout the satellite industry: satellite operators and service providers; governments

agencies; satellite manufacturers and launch service providers; equipment providers and integrators; media and

broadcasting companies; and banks and investors. The company is based in Paris with offices in Montreal.

www.euroconsult-ec.com.

About Irwin Communications

Irwin Communications is an international consulting firm, specialized in satellite communications. The company

is built on an in-depth understanding of the business and technology of the satellite industry, combined with

strong relationships with the key players throughout the industry. Its expertise includes fixed and mobile satellite

services, direct-to-home services, distance learning, VSAT, business television, IPTV, HDTV, and satellite

broadband services. For over 23 years, the company has helped its clients develop new products, enter new

markets, establish strategic relationships, obtain market information and increase the efficiency of their

communications systems. Since 1985 the company has provided consulting services to hundreds of major

corporations worldwide including satellite and telecom service providers, media and broadcasting companies,

investment firms, and government and corporate end users. www.irwincom.com

The national E9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office (National 9-1-1 Office) recently launched an initiative to create a Technical Assistance Center, which will be led by L. Robert Kimball & Associates (Kimball) and a team of 9-1-1 experts, including the National Emergency Number Association. The center will provide emergency 9-1-1 centers and 9-1-1 authorities with a new resource to help promote and enhance efforts for deploying advanced 9-1-1 capabilities and improve receiving and processing of 9-1-1 calls and data.

A key component of the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is an information clearinghouse intended to accumulate a collection of resources related to 9-1-1 and emergency services. The TAC will make technical, operational, and policy information available; address frequently asked questions; provide the latest information on new technologies, wireless deployment, and Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1); and provide information to facilitate improved Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operations. As part of this effort, a searchable Web site will be established that will provide users an opportunity to post detailed questions to 9-1-1 subject matter experts.

To target the types of information most useful to stakeholders, the TAC will collect information on progress and achievements in 9-1-1 delivery and deployment. It also provides an up-to-date tool to demonstrate where the emergency communications industry stands as it works to develop advanced 9-1-1 systems that support new communications devices.

“One of the major responsibilities of the National 9-1-1 Office, created by the ENHANCE 911 Act passed in 2004, is to develop, collect, and disseminate information concerning practices, procedures, and technology used in the implementation of E9-1-1 services. The Technical Assistance Center is being designed to help the National 9-1-1 Office address that responsibility,” commented Joel McCamley, vice president, Kimball.

“It is our vision to make the TAC an indispensible “go to” source for the 9-1-1 community to find up-to-date, reliable, and helpful information relating to 9-1-1,” said Gordon Vanauken, telecommunications specialist at Kimball.

“Whether looking for information to help manage the challenge of the day, or looking for ideas to plan for the future, the TAC will be an invaluable resource to the emergency response community, policy makers and even members of the media, all of whom are constantly in search of the latest information,” added NENA Development Director Robert Cobb, ENP.

The new Technical Assistance Center will be available mid-2009.

About the National 9-1-1 Office

The National 9-1-1 Office is a joint effort of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), housed within NHTSA’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The National 9-1-1 Office is responsible for enhancing coordination among 9-1-1 stakeholders, serving as a 9-1-1 clearinghouse and administering a grant program for the benefit of 9-1-1 services.

About Kimball

Kimball is a professional services firm comprised of the following col­laborative service groups: architecture, engineering, technology and consulting. Founded in 1953 in Pennsylvania as a civil engineering firm, Kimball has evolved into a contemporary, multifaceted full-service solution provider. The firm is widely recognized as a leader in the public safety industry, serving clients from 12 offices across the United States. For more information about Kimball, please visit www.kimballcorp.com.

About NENA

NENA is The Voice of 9-1-1™. NENA’s purpose is to promote implementation and awareness of 9-1-1 as North America’s universal emergency number. NENA is the leading professional non-profit organization dedicated solely to 9-1-1 emergency communications issues. NENA serves its 7,000 members in 48 chapters across North America through policy advocacy, establishment of technical and operational standards, the development of Next Generation 9-1-1, certification programs, and a broad spectrum of educational offerings. More information about NENA is available at www.nena.org

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that its representative to the Department of Commerce’s (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee, Robert Gurss, has been reappointed to represent the organization for a second two-year term. APCO International, through Gurss, has had representation on this committee since its inception.

“APCO International is pleased that Secretary Gutierrez continues to recognize the importance of public safety’s role in spectrum management,” APCO International President Chris Fischer said. “We look forward to our ongoing work with this group as we advance our country’s position in the wireless technology arena and increase the safety of its citizens.”

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About APCO International

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.

LOWELL, Mass. – Jan. 22, 2009 – Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems, a worldwide leader of critical radio communication systems, today announced that its P7200 portable and M7200 mobile public safety radios have been certified for use on Colorado’s statewide Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) by the Consolidated Communications Network of Colorado (CCNC). The radios were field- and bench-tested from September through December 2008, and approved by the CCNC for use on the DTRS at the conclusion of testing.

“The Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems P7200 and M7200 radios provide our department with high-quality voice and data communications, and we’re pleased that the state has certified them for the DTRS,” said Chief Marco Vasquez, Sheridan Police Department, Colorado. “It’s critical that we have the communication tools to effectively perform our duties as police officers and protect the citizens of Sheridan, and these mobile and portable radios enable us to do that.”

The Colorado DTRS is based on APCO Project 25 (P25) public safety communications standards, and operates in the 700 and 800 MHz frequency bands. The statewide system has more than 18,000 users from more than 400 federal, state and local agencies.

“This certification is the result of the tireless work between Tyco Electronics and the State of Colorado to provide public safety radio users with the best communication tools possible, and we are honored to have our mobile and portable radios approved for use on the Colorado statewide network,” said Dana Hansen, regional sales manager, Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems. “This demonstrates Tyco Electronics’ commitment to the safety of the law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS technicians that protect Colorado’s citizens each day, and we look forward to further collaboration on public safety communications with the State of Colorado.”

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems’ P7200 portable is a public safety-grade, digital two-way radio that provides dual-mode TDMA-capable operation, multi-mode functionality and digital voice and Internet protocol (IP) data communications. The M7200 mobile is a digital two-way radio that provides multi-mode functionality, dual-band operation, and optional global positioning system (GPS) capabilities.

ABOUT TYCO ELECTRONICS

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, undersea telecommunication systems and wireless systems, with 2008 sales of $14.8 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliance and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With nearly 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics’ commitment is our customers’ advantage. More information on Tyco Electronics can be found at http://www.tycoelectronics.com/.

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is a leading supplier of critical communications systems and equipment for public safety, utility, federal and select commercial markets. Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s products range from some of the most advanced IP-based voice and data networks, to traditional wireless systems that offer customers the highest levels of reliability, interoperability, scalability and security. More information about Tyco Electronics Wireless System’s solutions can be found on the Web at http://www.tewireless.com

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· The TE logo and Tyco Electronics are trademarks.

· Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems

1011 Pawtucket Blvd.

Lowell, MA 01853

US / CANADA: 1-800-368-3277

CustomerFocus@tycoelectronics.com

Fax 1-800-833-7592

INTERNATIONAL: 1-434-455-6403

InternationalCustomerFocus@tycoelectronics.com

Fax 1-434-455-6676

Contact: Product Communications:

Victoria Dillon

978-442-5304

dillonv@tycoelectronics.com