Program: Garuda

Also called Asia Cellular Satellite system

Mobile telecommunication satellite project to be operated by ACeS. ACeS is owned by Indonesia's PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (34.8%), Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (32.5%), Philippines Long Distance Telephone (20.6%) and Thailand's Jasmine International Overseas Company Ltd (11.9%) which is a subdiary of Jasmine International Public Company Ltd JASM.BK The global cost is evaluated at $1 billion

The system will provide voice, facsimile, and pager services through new satellites to hand-held mobile and fixed terminals throughout Southeast Asia, India, and China. ACeS will allow a person to use the same Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) based number for both mobile and cellular telephones while traveling throughout Asia. A dual-mode satellite-cellular handset, capable of communicating directly with the satellite as well as connecting up with local terrestrial cellular and fixed networks, will be manufactured by Ericsson Corp. of Sweden.

In Jan 1999, PSN announced that Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications will become an equity partner in ACeS. LMGT gets 30% of the shares for $150 million. Jasmine share comes down to 10%.

Commercial operations started on 22 Nov 2000.

In June 2006, it is rumored Inmarsat would study the acquisition of the company.

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External resources

http://www.acesinternational.com/

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