Telstra Signs In-Principle Agreement With SkyBridge Global Satellite Consortium

SkyBridge LP (Bethesda, MD) and Telstra (Melbourne, Australia) have taken another step toward a venture under which Telstra would provide broadband satellite services to Australasia and Southeast Asia in 2002. The companies have signed an in-principle agreement which gives Telstra first option to become an equity partner and SkyBridge LP's regional service provider for Australasia and the Southeast Asia region.

Based on a constellation of 80 Low Earth Orbiting satellites (LEOs), SkyBridge is expected to deliver global connectivity to business and residential users worldwide with performances comparable to that of future terrestrial broadband access technologies. Current negotiations are expected to conclude by the third quarter of this year.