Equant Launches Satellite VPN Solutions in Partnership with Intelsat and iDirect

WASHINGTON & PARIS--Sept. 20, 2004--

The Three Partners Combine Their Global Reach, Market Strengths and Innovation to Better Support Multinational Organizations with Sites in Underserved Areas

Equant (Euronext Paris: EQU), Intelsat and iDirect Technologies have formed a partnership to globally launch a set of fully managed, satellite-based, Wide Area Network (WAN) services.

This partnership supports Equant's strategy to develop global, customized and integrated communications services for multinational corporations, with an unmatched geographical reach.

Together, the three partners provide the capability to cost-effectively service underserved areas with a range of features not previously available. With this new partnership, Equant brings a robust set of satellite capabilities to its portfolio, enabling customers to use satellite solutions as stand-alone services or integrate them with its award winning high-end MPLS-based IP VPN service.

Equant's service will be provided in part by using Intelsat space segment on multiple satellites to seamlessly and cost-effectively extend its IP VPN service. Intelsat's global reach and reliability allows Equant to provide this premium, satellite-based offering to multinational organizations and corporations with high-end, global networking requirements for sites in hard to reach or underserved areas. Equant also works with other entities within the France Telecom group to use teleports from France Telecom Networks & Carriers, as well as GlobeCast.

iDirect Technologies will enable efficient broadband satellite access with its Netmodem product line, the leading terminal for satellite-based IP communications. iDirect's software and hardware deliver the most efficient bandwidth management capabilities available while providing the highest data throughput speeds in the industry.

Two large customers, including SG-SSB Limited Bank, part of the Societe Generale group, have already signed up for the new service.

"Our partnership with Equant and iDirect validates Intelsat's leadership position in providing VPN over satellite corporate networking services," said Ramu Potarazu, COO, Intelsat, Ltd. "Our 40-year reputation for innovation and the provision of premium, high-quality services to customers will keep Intelsat ahead of the curve in offering customer value."

John Kealey, CEO of iDirect Technologies stated: "This partnership is the realization of iDirect's core mission: delivering all the benefits of the next generation broadband network beyond the constraints of the wired world. From the beginning iDirect developed our technology to be an extension of traditional broadband IP networks. Through this partnership, we have achieved that goal, by extending true enterprise network functionality beyond all geographic constraints."

"Our partnership with Intelsat and iDirect Technologies to launch a cost-effective, shared IP satellite access service could not be more timely, given the concerns faced by every CIO with limited budget resources," said William Priest, president of Equant Products and Solutions. "We are addressing the need to do more with less and to bring remote offices onto the corporate network with high-quality, flexible connections."

About iDirect Technologies

IDirect Technologies designs, develops, and markets satellite-based broadband access solutions targeted at the enterprise, government, carrier and educational sectors that have the need for fast, flexible, and geographically dispersed two-way internet/intranet access. The company has developed technology solutions that combine high performance, worldwide availability, and ease of installation, high reliability, and low cost to end customers. In addition, iDirect solutions offer unprecedented efficiencies, increased revenue opportunities and higher per customer gross margins to satellite network operators. iDirect was included in the Inc. 500 list of the country's fastest growing entrepreneurial firms, as well as the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 list of the fastest-growing U.S. technology companies. iDirect's corporate headquarters are located in Reston, Virginia with regional offices in the United Kingdom, Asia and Latin America. Additional information is available on the company website, http://www.idirect-tech.com.

About Intelsat

Building on 40 Years of Leadership. As a global communications leader with 40 years of experience, Intelsat helps service providers, broadcasters, corporations and governments deliver information and entertainment anywhere in the world, instantly, securely and reliably. Intelsat's global reach and expanding solutions portfolio enable customers to enhance their communications networks, venture into new markets and grow their businesses with confidence.

About Equant

Equant (Euronext Paris: EQU) is a recognized industry leader in global communications services for multinational businesses. Equant combines its network expertise - including unmatched seamless network reach in 220 countries and territories and local support in approximately 165 countries - with its expanded services capabilities to provide global, integrated and customized communication services to enable its customers key business processes. Equant serves thousands of the world's top companies, with the industry's most extensive portfolio of communications services and network solutions, including the market-leading IP VPN used by nearly 1,300 global businesses. Equant, a subsidiary of France Telecom, was named Best Global Carrier 2003 and Best Managed Service 2003 at the World Communication Awards and consistently leads industry surveys in corporate user satisfaction.

This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements related to Equant that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Equant with the SEC, specifically the most recent filing on SEC Form 20-F, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things, risks relating to Equant's history of operating losses, the unpredictability of growth in Equant's markets, changing technology, uncertain and changing regulatory restrictions, Equant's international operations, dependence on suppliers, network security issues, competition, and volatility of Equant's stock price and risks relating to the combination with Global One. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Equant on the date hereof, and Equant assumes no obligation to update such statements.