Satellite Technology Vital to Delivering Affordable Connectivity and Driving Future Innovation, Intelsat CEO Tells Senate Committee

Luxembourg | October 25, 2017–
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) (“Intelsat” or the “Company”), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and a leader in integrated satellite communications, announced  that Chief Executive Officer Stephen Spengler today appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (the “Committee”), to deliver prepared remarks and answer questions from Chairman John Thune, Ranking Member Nelson and Committee members regarding the commercial satellite industry and next-generation services impacting consumers.

Answering questions during a session entitled “The Commercial Satellite Industry: What’s Up and What’s on the Horizon,” Mr. Spengler discussed Intelsat’s next-generation satellite technology and the future of the satellite industry. He highlighted the critical role that satellite technology plays in providing disaster relief, rural telecommunications infrastructure, enabling connected cars and broadcast programming to millions of American every day.

In his testimony to the Committee, Mr. Spengler said, “This is an exciting time for the satellite industry. Given the insatiable demand for affordable connectivity, everywhere and at all times, satellite is converging with other telecommunications technologies to build one common telecommunications infrastructure. At a time when access to secure and reliable communications impacts everything from the economy to national security, Intelsat is playing a major role innovating our nation’s infrastructure.”

Mr. Spengler commented, “We are also very proud to partner with the U.S. military to bring the nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines the critical communications capabilities they need to successfully carry out their mission around the globe and here at home, in the sky, in the sea, and on the ground. Whether it’s manned or unmanned aerial vehicles, communications on the move, or social and recreational welfare, Intelsat satellites carry the signal for our military and our troops.”

On the topic of Intelsat’s innovative initiative to share C-band spectrum, Mr. Spengler said, “We all know that with this ubiquitous connectivity demand comes a relentless demand for access to more spectrum. Spectrum is key to all communication services – satellite included. Intelsat has recently taken a leadership role on an initiative  that could bring more reliable and faster broadband services to millions more Americans. In response to a recent FCC proceeding, we have proposed a market-based solution that would pave the way for joint use of C-band radio spectrum. This spectrum is highly prized for both satellite television distribution and 5G wireless services. Adoption of our proposal would provide our broadcast and cable programmer customers, as well as the satellite sector, necessary certainty with respect to continued quality, use of, and investment in this band.”

Mr. Spengler’s full written testimony submitted to the Committee is available here.

In addition to serving as CEO of Intelsat, Mr. Spengler is a Commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.

About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

Intelsat Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release, including statements regarding the Exchange Offers and the Consent Solicitations, constitute “forward-looking statements” that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. When used in this release, the words “may,” “will,” “might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “outlook,” and “continue,” and the negative of these terms, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The forward-looking statements reflect Intelsat’s intentions, plans, expectations, anticipations, projections, estimations, predictions, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Intelsat’s control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. Known risks include, among others, market conditions and the risks described in Intelsat’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016, and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and risks and uncertainties related to our ability to consummate the Exchange Offers and the Consent Solicitations.

Because actual results could differ materially from Intelsat’s intentions, plans, expectations, anticipations, projections, estimations, predictions, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements with caution. Intelsat does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

New telecommunications satellite has completed first electric orbit raising for a high capacity satellite injust four months since launch in June

Paris, Toulouse | October 11, 2017–The EUTELSAT 172B spacecraft, built by Airbus for Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, has now reached geostationary orbit, breaking the record for the fastest satellite electric orbit raising (EOR).

EUTELSAT 172B was launched by Ariane 5 from Kourou, in French Guiana, on 1 June. The Airbus spacecraft control centre in Toulouse took control for early operations, initialisation, deployment of the solar array and electric propulsion arms, and completed initial testing prior to starting the Electric Orbit Raising phase on 8 June. During this four-month phase, electric thrusters smoothly and efficiently propelled the satellite to the targeted orbit, consuming almost six times less propellant mass than for a satellite with chemical propulsion.

Following completion of the payload in-orbit tests and drift to its operational location led by the Eutelsat team, EUTELSAT 172B is scheduled to enter commercial service in November to provide enhanced telecommunications, in-flight broadband and broadcast services for the Asia-Pacific region. Its life span is expected to exceed 15 years thanks to electric propulsion for in-orbit raising and station-keeping.

“We are the first company to demonstrate full electric propulsion for satellites of this size and capacity, enabling their launch in the most cost-efficient manner. Furthermore, with our system design, operation strategy and the plasma thruster technology we implement, we have completed the fastest electric orbit raising ever from transfer to geostationary orbit, which will allow Eutelsat to put their electric satellite in service in a record time,” said Nicolas Chamussy, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.

Yohann Leroy, Eutelsat’s Chief Technical Officer, added: “EUTELSAT 172B confirms the relevance of Eutelsat’s early adoption of electric propulsion technology to optimise capex. In combining electric propulsion, High Throughput capacity, robotic arms and 3D printing techniques, our new satellite also reflects Europe’s capability to push the envelope of innovation in order to increase the competitiveness of our business. We look forward to bringing EUTELSAT 172B into service next month for our clients in the Asia-Pacific region.”

EUTELSAT 172B combines 13 kW of payload power with a launch mass of only 3,550 kg, thanks to the latest EOR version of Airbus’ highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform.

EOR success and record was made possible by two Airbus innovations:

• A pair of deployable robotic arms which orientate the satellite’s electric propulsion thrusters, and control thrust direction and attitude during different phases of the mission.
• The WALIS (Wide Angle Localisation Integrated System) network of ground stations around the world, developed by Airbus, which has enabled engineers to control orbit raising operations until the satellite reached geostationary orbit.

The development of Airbus’ Eurostar all-electric satellites has been supported by ESA and space agencies of European countries, in particular in France by the CNES in the framework of the PIA programme (Plan d’Investissements d’Avenir) and in the UK by the UK Space Agency.

Luxembourg | August 20, 2014– Intelsat (NYSE: I) today commemorates its 50th anniversary of providing critical telecommunications and video content distribution infrastructure for businesses, organizations and governments around the world. In honor of its anniversary, the company created a video library featuring 50 interviews with contributors to the earliest days of the commercial space sector, as well as the business leaders responsible for today’s innovations. The video gallery also includes the stories of Intelsat’s customers and employees who have witnessed firsthand the vital role of satellite communications in connecting the world.

“I can think of no better way to honor Intelsat’s 50th year and those early pioneers of space than by looking to the future and the advances that are taking place in space-based communications that will transform how people, machines, and businesses connect to one another,” stated Dave McGlade, Chairman and CEO, Intelsat. “The advent of high throughput satellite technology, such as Intelsat EpicNG, and innovation occurring at all levels of our ecosystem will ensure that communities and businesses around the world have the information and content they need to progress and thrive. That was our mission in 1964 and remains critically important at Intelsat today as we endeavor to connect people of the world.”

The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) was established on the basis of agreements signed by governments and operating entities on August 20, 1964. INTELSAT’s sole purpose was to provide the necessary communications infrastructure that would aid in the socioeconomic development of nations around the world.

Since then, Intelsat has played a crucial role in enabling the vast progression of telecommunications over the past half century. The company’s global satellite network has provided critical connectivity and content delivery that has transformed businesses, driven economic development and productivity and brought people together during global events.

Since Intelsat’s global satellite broadcast of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969, Intelsat’s satellites have allowed the world to share in real time some of modern history’s most historic moments and iconic entertainment events. As important, Intelsat has served as the critical link for news organizations and humanitarian workers by providing near-instant communications infrastructure during times of crisis.

50 years, 50 satellites, and millions of people connected by satellite communications, Intelsat remains the world’s leading provider of satellite communications. The company’s commitment to innovation, its customers and ensuring that businesses and people wherever they are around the world have access to content and connectivity that will enable them to thrive and grow continues to be at the core of Intelsat’s success.