ProtoStar and PLDT/Mabuhay Agree to Collaborate on Expanded Satellite Services

Hamilton, Bermuda, Sept. 17, 2008 - ProtoStar Ltd. (ProtoStar), a Bermuda company, and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and PLDT’s subsidiary, Mabuhay Satellite Corporation (Mabuhay) announced today the signing of several agreements covering multiple areas of cooperation. 

Key aspects of the agreements include: an exchange of certain Mabuhay assets for an equity position in ProtoStar; expanded use of Mabuhay’s Subic Space Center for the operation and control of satellites; an option for PLDT to make further investments in ProtoStar and an agreement for PLDT to lease C-band transponder capacity on ProtoStar’s recently-launched ProtoStar I satellite. Overall, the agreements should enhance ProtoStar’s pan-Asian reach while extending Mabuhay’s presence in the region.

ProtoStar I was successfully launched on July 7, 2008, from Kourou, French Guiana. ProtoStar I has onboard 22 Ku-band transponders and 38 C-band transponders (all 36-Mhz equivalents).  The Ku-band transponders will support the rapidly-expanding Direct-to-Home (DTH) television markets of India and IndoChina, while the C-band transponders will serve the rapidly-growing cellular phone markets of Southeast Asia. 

A ProtoStar II satellite is now in the final stages of manufacturing with a scheduled launch in the spring of 2009. ProtoStar plans to develop and launch several other satellites in the coming years to serve Asia’s businesses requiring transponder capacity.

PLDT Chairman Manual V. Pangilinan stated that “PLDT’s investment in ProtoStar affirms PLDT’s commitment to the telecommunications industry and provides a platform for future growth in the industry through one of Asia’s upcoming regional satellite operators.”

PLDT President and CEO and Mabuhay Chairman Napoleon L. Nazareno added that “PLDT and Mabuhay’s collaboration with ProtoStar will enable PLDT to enjoy full diversity and protection for its satellite needs as ProtoStar continues with its satellite fleet expansion plans.  The PLDT group uses significant satellite capacity for its GSM backhaul requirements for its rural cell sites, and this diversification will add to the robustness of the PLDT Group’s network.”

Philip Father, President and CEO of ProtoStar Ltd., added that “this collaboration represents a win-win-win for PLDT, Mabuhay and ProtoStar in that together we expand our satellite fleets and customer base as well as our ground systems in a value-adding strategic manner that is terrific for our respective customers and shareholders.”

 About ProtoStar

ProtoStar Ltd., a Bermuda company with subsidiaries in Bermuda, San Francisco, CA and Singapore, was formed to acquire and operate high-power geostationary satellites optimized for DTH satellite television, broadband Internet and GSM cellular backhaul service providers across the Asia-Pacific region. The firm is led by seasoned veterans from the satellite, direct-to-home television, telecommunications and finance industries. 

For more information please visit: www.protostarsat.com.

 About PLDT

PLDT is the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups – fixed line, wireless and information communications technology – PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone and fixed line, cellular and satellite network.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American depositary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI).  PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippine listed companies.

Further information can be obtained by visiting:  www.pldt.com.ph.

 About Mabuhay Satellite Corporation

Mabuhay Satellite Corporation (MSC), a subsidiary of PLDT, is the first and only Philippine satellite operator. MSC is engaged in the business of owning, operating and maintaining international satellite facilities and other forms of telecommunications equipment capable of providing international and domestic communication links to telecommunications, broadcast and other public utility companies in the Philippines and other countries.  On August 20, 1997, MSC successfully launched Agila 2, a communications satellite located at the 146° East Orbital slot.  MSC offers video, IP, and telecommunications solutions for clients in Asia and North America.

MSC’s Agila 2, with its already expansive Asian and transpacific coverage, is further complemented by the connectivity of PLDT and by strong entrepreneurial relationships with major teleport and satellite operators and integrators in Asia and the United States of America. With these networks MSC has been providing interconnectivity to major fiber and satellite-based communications networks in Asia and North America. It also hosts broadcasters, international news agencies, teleport operators and international channels for their domestic and international distribution requirements.

In February 2001, MSC received a certification from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, for Agila 2, establishing it as the first Asian on the FCC’s Permitted Space Station List. Agila 2 joins six other non-U.S. satellites on the select list.  The granting of the certification indicates that Agila 2 fully complies with the FCC’s technical requirements and allows U.S.-owned and operated earth stations to communicate with Agila 2.