Ericsson and ACeS hold first public trials of world's smallest satellite phone

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June 11 2000

At CommunicAsia in Singapore, Ericsson and Aces will offer visitors the chance to try the Ericsson R190 Satellite phone - the smallest satellite phone available worldwide - in its first public demonstration. 

The dual mode handset is specially designed to support the ACeS (ASIA Cellular Satellite) service, as well as roam on GSM networks worldwide. 

Ericsson R190 Satellite/GSM 900 dual mode phone, will be offered free satellite calls to any destination in the world. This is a unique opportunity to experience the exceptional voice clarity and features of the phone and the ACeS service.

Weighing just over 200 grams, the Ericsson R190 is the world's smallest and lightest satellite/GSM dual mode phone and will introduce Asian consumers to the anytime-anywhere convenience of satellite telephony with a handset comparable in size to what they presently use with existing
terrestrial services. 

The R190 Satellite phone will make Asia more accessible, having been developed for people who work, travel and live in remote areas throughout the region. It offers a 'one phone' solution with a satellite/GSM antenna that functions in both satellite and GSM 900 mode. Once out of cellular range, the phone will automatically switch to satellite mode to send or receive calls, and will switch back to GSM when in GSM coverage areas.

For added convenience, users can replace the satellite antenna with a smaller snap on GSM only antenna, which enables the phone to work as a regular cellular phone that can be used within GSM 900 coverage areas. "We have worked very hard with our partner Ericsson to develop a first-generation handset that delivers the reach and performance of satellite telephony in a package that doesn't compromise users' size and weight expectations," said Adi R. Adiwoso, CEO and President Director of ACeS International Ltd. and PSN its largest shareholder, (Nasdaq:PSNRY). 

"We have been using the R190 for several months, making thousands of test calls on the ACeS network, and I can say that the Ericsson team over-delivered in creating an extremely high-quality product."

The exceptionally small size of the Ericsson R190 is enabled by GMSS (Geostationary Mobile Satellite Standard), the satellite technology derived from the GSM standard. It exploits the main components already present in a GSM handset to transmit at GSM and satellite frequencies.

With initial retail pricing less than USD 1.00 per minute, ACeS will be the world's most affordable satellite telephony service. ACeS service will be initially offered in eight licensed Asian countries covering a population of 1.7 billion, and negotiations are under way with additional countries. Furthermore, ACeS has signed 43 international roaming agreements with additional 26 countries. 

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