Satellite Communications Network for U.S. Postal Service

Spacenet Inc., a leading provider of advanced satellite networking services for enterprise and government, announced today it is working with Verizon Business to deploy a custom satellite network for the U.S. Postal Service. The satellite network will provide high performance broadband communications for over 5,000 Postal Service sites in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. In addition, the satellite network will support on-demand back-up communications for a number of larger USPS facilities, as well as portable communications for the US Postal Inspection Service fleet of more than 20 incident response vehicles.

For the USPS custom satellite network, Spacenet is providing a fully managed satellite communications service based on the Gilat SkyEdge VSAT platform and utilizing a combination of individual SkyEdge satellite modems and the router integrated Cisco VSAT Network Module. These technologies offer high performance broadband service for converged communications including simultaneous support for carrier class voice, two-way video, and broadband data.

The USPS satellite network will support a wide range of applications including an innovative video relay service (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing postal employees, multicast content delivery, real-time video broadcasting, VoIP based digital telephone services, as well as routine data transport and point-of-sale transactions. Installation is already substantially under way with all sites expected to be operational by later this fall.

In addition, the network will support the Postal Service demands for continuity of operations by pre-positioning emergency portable VSAT kits in strategically selected locations. These kits provide for rapid deployment to Postal Service facilities should they lose terrestrial voice and data service in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.

Spacenet CEO Andreas Georghiou explained, "With this award, Spacenet has achieved two significant milestones. First, the USPS network represents a large scale deployment of satellite technology for a multitude of uses in the same network. The network is providing communications for both fixed and transportable locations, as well as supporting complete converged communications of voice, video, and data. Second, this contract demonstrates that a team composed of a leading satellite services provider and a major telecom operator, such as Spacenet and Verizon Business, can provide customers with the best of all worlds -- cost effective communications with high availability and world class service. We are delighted with this opportunity to work with Verizon Business and proud to provide critical communications services to one of the largest organizations in the US government."