SGH Satcom Grp

RNS Number:8449R
SatCom Group Holdings plc
28 September 2005



Press Release                                                 28 September 2005



                    SatCom expands into Middle East and Africa


SatCom Group Holdings plc ("SatCom" or "the Group"), a reseller of mobile
satellite communications, today announces that it has opened a new office in
Dubai to supply mobile satellite communications equipment in the Middle East and
Africa.

As well as the opening of this new office, SatCom is also developing a network
of dealers throughout the Middle East and Africa to provide high quality mobile
satellite communications solutions for advanced vehicle location, maritime
solutions, mobile data and rural telephony.

SatCom has employed Neil Jamieson to take the position of General Manager of
SatCom Distribution (ME), a new company that is being formed which will be 55
per cent. owned by SatCom and 45 per cent. owned by Neil Jamieson.

Mark White, Chief Executive Officer of SatCom Group Holdings plc, said: "The
opening of this new office in Dubai improves our global market coverage and
gives SatCom an excellent opportunity to penetrate this lucrative market.

"Neil Jamieson brings with him a wealth of experience to SatCom. He has worked
for many years in the satellite communications sector with clients in both
Middle East and Southern Africa. I am confident that under Neil's guidance, we
will see attractive growth from this market."

                                    - Ends -

For further information:
SatCom Group Holdings plc
Mark White, Chief Executive Officer                   Tel: +44 (0 1722 439 206
mark.white@satcomgroup.com                            www.SatComgroup.com
                                                          

Martin Ward, Chief Financial Officer                  Tel: +44 (0) 1722 439 201
martin.ward@satcomgroup.com                           www.SatComgroup.com
                                                         

Ernst & Young LLP
John Stephan,                                         Tel: +44 (0) 207 951 2000
jstephan@uk.ey.com


Teather & Greenwood Limited
Stephen Austin, Corporate Finance                     Tel: +44 (0) 207 426 9000
stephen.austin@teathers.com                           www.teathers.com
                                                             
Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Heather Salmond / Dana Thomas                         Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700
heather.salmond@abchurch-group.com                    www.abchurch-group.com
                                                       

                                Notes to Editors

SatCom is a global reseller of airtime services and satellite systems hardware
(mobile handsets) for major satellite systems operators, including Inmarsat,
Thuraya and Iridium. SatCom's key target markets include the US, Europe, Asia
and Middle East.

SatCom is based in Salisbury in the UK, with further offices in New York,
Washington, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. SatCom has established a robust
customer base of over 7,500 active terminals and is able to offer all
communication solutions including voice, fax and data. SatCom, through its
subsidiary O'Gara Satellite Systems Inc, has also established itself as one of
five preferred suppliers to the US Government.

Products range from small, handheld phones through to terminals such as the
Inmarsat Regional B-GAN, a high speed satellite Internet Protocol modem
operating at speeds of more than twice the speed of the GPRS terrestrial system.
In addition, SatCom provides airtime services via the three satellite operators
to key customers including dealers, commercial companies and Governments.

The handsets are used with a SIM card that is registered by the end user at
www.simreg.com. This website is proprietary to SatCom, allowing SatCom to
register terminals and for customers to purchase prepaid airtime online.

SatCom has enjoyed strong increases in sales and profitability through organic
growth and acquisition. SatCom acquired a US airtime company O'Gara Satellite
Systems in 2002, which currently contributes nearly 30% of the Group's turnover.
In November 2004 SatCom successfully acquired Northstar Communications, Inc. The
Group recently reported an EBITDA of $3.0 million and a profit before tax of
US$2.6 million on $47.9 million of revenues for the financial year ended 30 June
2005.

On 26 September 2005, SatCom announced the acquisition of Horizon Mobile
Communications which has strengthened its position in Asia and allowed it to
enter the commercial maritime market for mobile satellite communications.

Iridium is the only operator to offer a fully global, mobile satellite system,
providing voice and data solutions via a network of 66 low earth orbit ("LEO")
satellites built by Boeing. The Iridium service is delivered to and from remote
areas so is ideally suited for industrial applications such as heavy
construction, defence, maritime, oil and gas and aviation.

Thuraya offers cost effective satellite services to nearly one third of the
globe. Thuraya's satellite operations cover Europe, the Middle East, North
Africa and the Indian subcontinent and operate via a geo-stationary satellite
system. The Thuraya system includes a second satellite launched in early 2003
and a third satellite is planned in order to expand system capacity even
further.

Inmarsat was the world's first global mobile satellite communications operator
and is still the only one to offer a mature range of modern communications
services to maritime, land-mobile, aeronautical and other users. It operates a
constellation of geo-stationary satellites designed to extend phone, fax and
data communications all over the world.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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