Global Eagle Entertainment and THAICOM Announce Memo of Understanding to Offer In-flight Connectivity Services in Asia-Pacific
Thai Airlines Seeking to Operate In-flight Connectivity Service Will Benefit from Partnership's Support
All Airlines Flying Into and Over Thailand Can Access High-Quality Connectivity
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. and NONTHABURI, Thailand, Sept. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop, implement and support in-flight connectivity solutions for airlines in Thailand and the surrounding region has been signed between Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:ENT), the leading provider of satellite-based in-flight WiFi and device-based entertainment for airlines around the world, and Thaicom Public Company Limited (THAICOM), a leading satellite communications provider in Asia Pacific publicly traded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) under the symbol THCOM.
The partnership between these respected leaders in satellite-based in-flight connectivity and communications is designed to help airlines in Thailand and the Asia Pacific region develop and operate a unique, reliable and enjoyable in-flight connectivity service that reflects the specific preferences of these airlines and the passengers they serve.
"As the company responsible for the world's first high-throughout IP satellite for commercial broadband, THAICOM has been providing a broad range of standard-setting satellite services throughout Asia Pacific for decades," said John La Valle, Chief Executive Officer of Global Eagle Entertainment. "We look forward to working together with THAICOM to develop an in-flight connectivity experience unique to the region, and to improve the flying experience for air commercial travelers throughout Asia Pacific."
Under the MOU, Global Eagle Entertainment subsidiary Row 44 will provide its world-leading, satellite-based in-flight connectivity platform, including hardware and software. Row 44 will also provide its expertise in efficient program management and in the development and operation of advanced in-flight services to increase passenger loyalty and airline revenues.
"We look forward to partnering with Global Eagle Entertainment and are proud to be able to play a key role in providing in-flight broadband services to Thailand and Asia Pacific," said Suphajee Suthumpun, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer of THAICOM. "This business partnership is a significant milestone for THAICOM as it marks our entry into the in-flight connectivity market in the Asia Pacific region. We are pleased to be able to support Asia Pacific's evolving communications needs powered by our growing fleet of satellites and portfolio of end-to-end value-added services."
THAICOM will work with Global Eagle to build out a satellite network infrastructure throughout the region that offers airlines a menu of services that include global satellite connectivity, network security and policy compliance management, customer billing, customer services, content delivery, and WiFi and Internet Service Provider (ISP) support. These services can be utilized individually or integrated as needed in order to help airlines maximize the productivity of its in-flight connectivity solution.
Added John La Valle: "We view the Asia Pacific region as a major growth market for us where we can further execute on our plans to deliver greater value to airlines and a better experience for passengers through our robust content and connectivity service offerings."
About Global Eagle Entertainment
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. is the leading full service platform offering both content and connectivity for the worldwide airline industry. Through its combined content, distribution and technology platforms, Global Eagle provides airlines and the millions of travelers they serve with the industry's most complete offering of in-flight video content, e-commerce and information services. Find out more at www.globaleagleent.com.
About Thaicom Public Company Limited
Thaicom Public Company Limited, a leading satellite communications provider in Asia Pacific, was granted a 30-year Domestic Communication Satellite Operating Agreement by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (currently transferred to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT). The company was the first in the region to offer Ku-band and Digital Direct-to-Home broadcasting services, and was the world's first operator to employ MPEG-2 DVB compression since 1994. THAICOM also developed and launched the world's first Internet Protocal (IP) satellite, IPSTAR. At present, IPSTAR offers broadband and mobile backhaul services to operators and service providers in 13 countries across Asia Pacific. For more information visit www.thaicom.net and www.ipstar.com.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
We make forward-looking statements in this release within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts for future events, including without limitation our earnings, revenues, expenses or other future financial or business performance or strategies, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on our business, results of operations or financial condition. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this release, and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of as a result of new information, future events or developments or otherwise.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from past results and future plans and projected future results are the following: our ability to integrate the Row 44 and AIA businesses, the ability of the combined business to grow, including through acquisitions which we are able to successfully integrate, and the ability of our executive officers to manage growth profitably; the outcome of any legal proceedings pending or that may be instituted against us, Row 44 or AIA; changes in laws or regulations that apply to us or our industry; our ability to recognize and timely implement future technologies in the satellite connectivity space, including Ka-band system development and deployment; our ability to deliver end-to-end network performance sufficient to meet increasing airline customer and passenger demand; our ability to obtain and maintain international authorizations to operate our service over the airspace of foreign jurisdictions our customers utilize; our ability to expand our service offerings and deliver on our service roadmap; our ability to timely and cost-effectively identify and license television and media content that passengers will purchase; general economic and technological circumstances in the satellite transponder market, including access to transponder space in capacity limited regions and successful launch of replacement transponder capacity where applicable; our ability to obtain and maintain licenses for content used on legacy installed in-flight entertainment systems; the loss of, or failure to realize benefits from, agreements with our airline partners; the loss of relationships with original equipment manufacturers or dealers; unfavorable economic conditions in the airline industry and economy as a whole; our ability to expand our domestic or international operations, including our ability to grow our business with current and potential future airline partners or successfully partner with satellite service providers, including Hughes Network Systems; our reliance on third-party satellite service providers and equipment and other suppliers, including single source providers and suppliers; the effects of service interruptions or delays, technology failures, material defects or errors in our software, damage to our equipment or geopolitical restrictions; the limited operating history of our connectivity and in-flight television and media products; costs associated with defending pending or future intellectual property infringement actions and other litigation or claims; increases in our projected capital expenditures due to, among other things, unexpected costs incurred in connection with the roll out of our technology roadmap or our international plan of expansion; fluctuation in our operating results; the demand for in-flight broadband internet access services and market acceptance for our products and services; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in this release and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
CONTACT: For Press: Karin Pellmann Communications for Global Eagle Entertainment/Row 44 646-515-6933 kpellmann@row44.com For Investors: Chris Plunkett or Brad Edwards Brainerd Communicators, Inc. 212-986-6667 plunkett@braincomm.com edwards@braincomm.comSource: Global Eagle Entertainment
Released September 23, 2013