WCC Awarded State of Alaska Contract for Iridium Voice & Data Satellite Communications Solutions

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 9, 2004 -- World Communications Center (WCC), a leading provider of global satellite voice and data communications, announced that the State of Alaska selected WCC to supply satellite communications services for the state government and state agencies. According to the terms of the agreement, the year-and-a-half contract contains renewal options up to five years.

Leveraging Iridium's comprehensive statewide coverage and low Iridium-to-Iridium rates, WCC will assist the State of Alaska in standardizing all state government and agency users in transitioning to the Iridium system by October 2004. In previous years, both Iridium and Globalstar provided voice and data services to the State of Alaska for the over 400 satellite phones currently in use.

"We selected WCC because their integrated Iridium global satellite technology ensures reliable satellite telephony services that operate at high latitudes -- and they meet our stringent customer service level requirements," says Julie Pannone, administration manager, Enterprise Technology Services, State of Alaska. "Not to mention, we're saving a minimum of 94 cents per airtime minute."

WCC will also supply text messaging, short burst data (SBD), Iridium data (RUDICS) connection and database solutions for tracking and remote monitoring including L-band transceiver services. "Short burst data is a particularly compelling aspect of our solution because it allows our customers to pay only for the small packets of data they are moving -- a typical scenario in remote monitoring -- as opposed to paying costly, minimum airtime packages," says Sam Romey, president of WCC. "The RUDICS service is also a significant value-add from WCC, ensuring high connectivity for Iridium-based solutions."

"WCC is one of the few companies that can deliver services as an Iridium value-added reseller (VAR), value-added manufacturer (VAM) and service provider (SP), which enables us to offer reduced costs of up to 30 percent on airtime compared to competitors," continues Romey. "In addition, WCC can offer the highest level of service to our customers with live, 24x7 technical care and quick issue resolution based on our own high level service agreement with Iridium."

About WCC

World Communications Center (WCC) is a leading provider of global satellite solutions, including Iridium telephones, pagers, data capabilities, satellite broadband and service. Contact: www.wcclp.com or 800-211-2575.

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For further information, please contact: Jodi Amendola of Amendola Communications, +1-480-664-8412, j.amendola@cox.net, for World Communications Center.