THE ASTRA SATELLITE SYSTEM TO POWER NETSYSTEM.COM IN ITALY

Exciting new broadband satellite Internet and IP-Streaming channel service for Italian residential users to launch on ASTRA

Netsystem.com, Italy's premier broadband service provider, and Société Européenne des Satellites, operator of Europe's leading ASTRA Satellite System, have signed contracts for two ASTRA transponders at 19.2º East as well as for ASTRA-NET broadband DVB/IP network services. In addition, SES will invest Euro 25.8m to gain a 5% interest in Netsystem.com.

From this October, Netsystem.com will use the network services of ASTRA-NET to create an exciting new broadband service that will be delivered via ASTRA direct to residential users in Italy, Europe's fastest growing Internet market. Netsystem.com will undertake an aggressive marketing campaign to achieve their target of 500,000 connected homes within the next two years.

The Netsystem.com service will combine web-based applications, interactive services, web-caching and on-demand files complimented by Videoportal.com. Videoportal will be the first Italian web TV portal to offer ASTRA broadband users high quality multimedia applications such as streaming video and interactive video information banners. Content will reflect topics of particular interest to Italian audiences and relevant to the new e-economy such as news, fashion and lifestyle.

Commenting on the contract signature, Arturo Artom, President and CEO of Netsystem.com said: "Italian consumers are continually demanding faster and more reliable access to the Internet. Netsystem.com intends providing the quality and choice of service they want. By signing with ASTRA, and using the proven capabilities of ASTRA-NET, we are deploying the world's largest direct-to-home broadband satellite network, without last mile bottlenecks. We believe ASTRA, with its experience in market support and development, offers the best satellite solution for delivering a fast, reliable and high quality service to our end-users."

Romain Bausch, Director General and Chairman of the Management Committee of SES, stated: "We are excited about the agreements signed with Netsystem.com for capacity and ASTRA-NET broadband services. They provide us with first mover advantage with respect to two important objectives of our company: the introduction of a dedicated bouquet of broadband content and services for Italy, and the roll-out via ASTRA of high performance DVB/IP broadband services to residential users across Europe."

Yves Elsen, Commercial and Marketing Director of SES, said: „The exciting new free services from Netsystem.com will enhance the choice of broadcast services on ASTRA enjoyed in over 840,000 DTH/SMATV (end of 1999) households, i.e. almost every second satellite home in Italy. End-users will find it easy to access the services using any standard browser on a PC fitted with a DVB/IP receiver card or via USB-receiver boxes. We look forward to working with Netsystem.com to support the rapid roll out of the service in Italy, the fastest growing DTH/SMATV market in Europe."

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About Netsystem.com

Netsystem.com S.p.A is the first Italian broadband Internet provider via satellite. The company is positioned as 'first mover' in the bid of fast Internet services to the Italian consumer market, and of the whole range of broadband services for web TV, e-commerce and interactive advertising that are offered through its own video-portal, "Videoportal.com". Netsystem.com is opening over 1000 dealers, realizing a strong territorial presence : an ideal mix between new and old economy.

Netsystem.com will be listed on the New Market of the Italian Stock Exchange.

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 more than 950 different television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services to an audience of close to 78 million homes in Europe. Four additional satellites are under construction and due for launch before end 2001. SES is also a major shareholder in AsiaSat (34.13% since January 15th, 1999).

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.

SES is the first European satellite operator to commercially exploit the Ka-band frequency for interactive and multimedia services in Europe. In 2000, SES will commence commercial trials of the first operational DVB-RCS broadband satellite return channel system, which will serve 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).