Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Iraq has contracted for satellite capacity for the
military.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry has awarded an $80 million contract to L-3
Communications for satellite services. Under the contract, which included
the U.S. Army and Intelsat General, L-3 would provide services for the Iraqi
military through the U.S. IS-901 satellite.

“Even though American forces have left Iraq, there is an ongoing need
for satellite coverage of the region,” Intelsat General president Kay Sears
said.

Intelsat was awarded a subcontract to provide satellite connectivity to
the Iraqi Defense Ministry. Executives said the Bethseda, Md. company would
link the ministry’s 150 VSAT remote terminals by providing nearly a full
transponder capacity on Intelsat’s satellite.

“Having connectivity through our satellite network will enable the Iraqi
military to maintain communications throughout a wide area,” Ms. Sears said
on Feb. 23.

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