SES DEMONSTRATES ASTRA BROADBAND INTERACTIVE SYSTEM USING EMS AND NORSAT USER TERMINAL EQUIPMENT

SES DEMONSTRATES ASTRA BROADBAND INTERACTIVE SYSTEM
USING EMS AND NORSAT USER TERMINAL EQUIPMENT

Société Européenne des Satellites (SES), the operator of Europe's leading ASTRA Satellite System, EMS Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG) and Norsat International Inc. (NASDAQ: NSATF; TSE:NII), today announced that SES/ASTRA has been successfully demonstrating a satellite interactive terminal (SIT) comprising an EMS indoor unit and a Norsat hybrid Ka-/Ku-band prototype outdoor unit (ODU) to showcase two-way satellite access at the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sept. 8 - 12.

The ASTRA stand at IBC (Hall 1, Stand 450) notably features demonstrations of the ASTRA Broadband Interactive System (ASTRA BBI), the first operational DVB-RCS (Return Channel over Satellite) system. ASTRA BBI is a two-way satellite IP platform based upon open standards that enables the collection and distribution of multimedia-rich broadband content at speeds more than 30 times faster than a standard 64kbit/s ISDN connection.

"The ASTRA BBI applications for which EMS and Norsat equipment will play an integral part, include high-speed Internet access, audio and video streaming, telemedicine, and the remote control of a web camera, giving a live bird's-eye view of SES' Luxembourg headquarters", said Martin Halliwell, Director of Communications Technology of SES/ASTRA. "This is an opportunity for the industry and the press to see the broad range of technology applications we plan to introduce in the coming months."

"This demonstration highlights the capabilities of two-way satellite technology as an alternative to wired terrestrial solutions," said Robert H. Bucher, Norsat's President and CEO. "Our hybrid Ka-/Ku-band ODUs, which receive and transmit fast digital signals, will help deliver new broadband applications over satellite networks. We expect to begin delivering quantities of these ODUs configured for commercial subscribers in the fourth quarter."

"This represents EMS' first public opportunity to demonstrate its end-to-end capability in DVB-RCS technology, as the exhibition features the indoor unit for the terminal, located at IBC, working with the return link sub system for the hub, located in Betzdorf", said Don Osborn, Vice President and General Manager Space and Technology group. "EMS is committed to delivering terminal equipment starting in the fourth quarter 2000, and hub equipment starting in the third quarter of 2001."

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About SES / ASTRA

Société Européenne des Satellites S.A. (SES) is the operator of ASTRA, Europe's leading direct-to-home Satellite System. Via nine active satellites at the orbital positions of 19.2° East and 28.2° East, ASTRA transmits in analogue and digital format close to 1000 different television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services to an audience in excess of 79 million homes in Europe. Four additional satellites are under construction and due for launch before end 2001.

SES is also a major shareholder (34.13%) in AsiaSat, the leading satellite system in the Asian/Pacific region. On July 17th, 2000, SES entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 50% ownership in Nordic Satellite Company NSAB, the operator of the Scandinavian Sirius satellite system. This transaction was closely followed by the announcement on July 24th that SES was to purchase a 19.99% interest in Embratel Satellite Division, the owner and operator of Brasilsat, the largest satellite fleet in Latin America. Both the NSAB and the Embratel transaction are subject to approval by the relevant competition and regulatory authorities.

Through its strategic investments in AsiaSat, NSAB and Embratel, SES will be able to interconnect the European ASTRA and Sirius satellites with the Asian/Pacific AsiaSats and the Latin American Brasilsats to offer satellite broadband services spanning four continents.

SES is a pioneer of interactive and multimedia services through SES Multimedia, a wholly owned subsidiary. SES Multimedia operates the ASTRA-NET platform, enabling service and content providers to transmit data directly, via satellite, to personal computers in businesses and homes across Europe. In addition, SES is extending its direct involvement in multimedia, with partnerships, joint ventures and direct investment.

SES is the first European satellite operator to commercially exploit the Ka-band frequencies for interactive and multimedia services in Europe. In Q4 2000, SES will commence commercial beta trials of the Broadband Interactive System (BBI), a DVB-RCS based broadband satellite return channel system, serving the growing market in Western and Central Europe for 2-way asymmetric, high-speed broadband collection and delivery of multimedia.

SES securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (symbol: SES) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol: SDSL).

About EMS Technologies, Inc.

EMS Technologies, Inc. is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of space and terrestrial wireless solutions, focusing its unique range of advanced technologies on the needs of broadband and mobile information users. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs 1,700 people worldwide, and has major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Ottawa and Montreal. For more information, visit the company on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com

About Norsat International

Norsat International Inc. designs, engineers and distributes premium products for use in the satellite wireless communications industry. It has four principal operating units. Norsat Satellite Products is a supplier of satellite signal receivers, transmitters, and other ground station equipment and provides an after-market maintenance and repair service. Norsat Broadband Networks develops components and systems to the satellite broadband IP market. Norsat Narrowband Networks specializes in voice and data products and services for the Globalstar satellite constellation. The Company's Norsat America Inc. subsidiary operates a network of 14 branch offices across the U.S. and is a distributor of DIRECTV(r) satellite service to the direct-to-home (DTH) market and a DIRECTV(r) Master System Operator (MSO) for the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market. Norsat America also distributes DirecPC.