Alcatel Alenia Space to build and deliver in-orbit Turksat 3A telecommunication satellite for Turksat AS

Paris, February 23, 2006 — Alcatel Alenia Space announced today that it has signed a turnkey contract with Turkish operator Turksat AS, for the construction and the in-orbit delivery of a new powerful telecommunication satellite, Turksat 3A. Alcatel Alenia Space has been Turksat’s sole satellite provider with five satellites* awarded in more than 10 years.

The Turksat 3A satellite will enable Turksat to offer telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting over Southern Europe, covering Turkey, Europe and Central Asia.

As prime contractor, Alcatel Alenia Space will be in charge of the satellite design, construction and test activities, all the way through in-orbit delivery, along with modernization of the ground segment. Alcatel Alenia Space will also provide training assistance to Turksat.

Based on Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000B2, Turksat 3A will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and will offer beginning of life power of about 8kW. Positioned at 42°E, Turksat 3A is due to start services at the beginning of 2008, replacing Turksat 1C.

Turksat 3A is the tenth Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000** satellite ordered, among which four*** have been successfully launched and delivered in orbit.

* Turksat 1A, 1B, 1C and 2A (Eurasiasat)
** Under construction: Chinasat 9, Chinasat 6B, Rascomstar-Qaf, Koreasat 5 and Syracuse 3B
*** Already launched: AMC-12, Apstar VI, Syracuse 3A and AMC-23

About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody’s future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defense to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space is an Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%) company.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

Contact Information

Mark Burnworth

Alcatel

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