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Press Release

March 3, 2004

TriPoint Global Introduces Satcom-On-The-Move TM Terminal

Mobile RF Terminal Provides Continuous SATCOM High-Bandwidth Voice and Data for Tactical Battle Vehicles

Newton, NC:   TriPoint Global Communications is introducing an “On-The Move ” TM RF terminal capable of high-bandwidth voice and data communications over satellite at the Satellite 2004 Conference March 3-5 in Booth #124.

The full motion, remote control terminal, designed and built by TriPoint Global's VertexRSI product line, is ruggedized for use by military forces and designed to be mounted on a wide variety of tactical vehicles.

Nathan Knutson, TriPoint Global's Vice President for Government Strategic Programs, said “The unique capability that VertexRSI's Satcom-on-the-Move™ (SOTM™) terminal brings to the battle space is its robust, continuous operation while traveling over rough terrain. Since it operates at Ku-band frequencies and higher, data rates as high as 512 kbps are achievable, or eight times that of L-band terminals.”

The VertexRSI Satcom-on-the-Move™ terminals are scheduled for initial operational testing later this year with production and delivery shortly thereafter.

“This terminal will revolutionize combat operations because it provides the first ‘no-kidding' Satcom-On-The-Move™     for military use in the market,” Knutson said. “It sends and receives large files containing high-resolution graphics in seconds instead of tens of minutes or even hours.   And, since this terminal is designed to be mounted on a variety of vehicles such as HMMWV's, armored personnel carriers, Stryker vehicles, and even tanks, there is no restriction to deployment plans for high quality and timely communications.”

Ralph White is General Manager of VertexRSI's Richardson, Texas, facility where the terminals are being produced.   “Since Ka-band operation is three to five years in the future, the immediate need for highly mobile satellite communications can be met by using Ku-band terminals,” White said.   “Ku-band is an industry-standard operating frequency that provides reliable high performance, and at the same time is offered by a large number of satellite providers world-wide. Ku-band R/F components are also readily available at very reasonable prices. Minimizing size and weight was a major design driver for our terminals, so the VertexRSI Satcom-on-the-Move terminal is mounted under a protective dome that protrudes from the top of the vehicle by about two feet,” he said.

“TriPoint Global designed the terminal for compatibility with Ka-band when that frequency becomes the standard,” White added.   “The units are designed to provide a very straight-forward migration to Ka-band when the satellites and other infrastructure are ready in future years.”

“Antenna positioning and control is the main challenge of a fully functional SOTM TM system,” White said, “And TriPoint Global's VertexRSI-Richardson, Texas Facility has a long history of designing and manufacturing high performance antenna control systems for military and commercial use.”

Through its VertexRSI, Prodelin and Gabriel brands TriPoint Global is a premier supplier of satellite and wireless communications products, systems and services to the U.S. Government and international government and commercial communications providers worldwide.

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