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ICO,
Teledesic and Ellipso to Collaborate on Offering Mobile Satellite
Service
ICO-Teledesic
Global Limited and Ellipso Inc. have reached agreement to
collaborate on building a successful  mobile
satellite system. The two companies started talking three months
ago. ICO-Teledesic Global, through its affiliate New ICO, and
Ellipso will collaborate on technical, financial, business and
regulatory issues
related to the deployment of spectrum-efficient satellite systems
capable of providing a broad array of telecommunications services on
a global basis. By working together, ICO-Teledesic Global and
Ellipso will be able to provide voice and data services to all parts
of the world. Financial terms were not disclosed, although the
collaboration could potentially lead to New ICO acquiring Ellipso.
Ellipso has
previously reported it would need US$1.5 billion to launch its
satellite network. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing,
New ICO said it expects to spend US$2.1 billion to launch its
system.
Ellipso, Inc.,
Washington, D.C., is developing the Ellipso satellite-based global
communications system to provide digital voice  and
data services worldwide. Utilizing elliptical orbits, the Ellipso
system will provide a full range of advanced communications services
to subscribers. The Ellipso project includes the participation of
The Boeing Company, the Harris
Corporation and L-3 Communications. The Ellipso team is also
involved in the development of the Virtual Geo broadband satellite
system that will replicate the characteristics of satellites in
geostationary orbit. Ellipso has 15 employees.
ICO-Teledesic
Global has proposed mergers of New ICO and Teledesic with
ICO-Teledesic Global. The mergers remain subject to shareholder and
regulatory approvals. New ICO, London, acquired the assets of ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited. The business was renamed
New ICO following the successful US$1.2 billion acquisition of the
former ICO group, which was completed in May 2000. New ICO plans to
offer wireless Internet and other packet-data services. Boeing
Satellite Systems is building New ICO's satellites. Separately,
Teledesic has been developing a global broadband satellite
communications network.
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