SES EMPHASISES THE NEED TO PROTECT RADIO SPECTRUM FOR VITAL SERVICES AROUND THE WORLD

LUXEMBOURG/ GENEVA, 4 NOVEMBER 2015 - To mark the start of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 in Geneva this week, SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has today published its new white paper The Vital Hertz: Radio Spectrum. The white paper emphasises the need to protect radio spectrum for satellite operators to provide vital services around the world. It endorses the need to safeguard C-band satellite spectrum against the mobile community’s bid to gain access to this band, which is an important and irreplaceable resource that is used globally by the satellite industry to provide critical services, such as disaster response solutions, e-health, e-learning, e-banking etc.

“C-band enables emergency support to the public when they need it most,” SES states in its White Paper. “When disaster strikes and terrestrial infrastructure is down, up-to-the-minute information can mean the difference between life and death. Satellite connectivity via C-band is the fastest way to get communications services up and running for those seeking rescue or coordinating relief efforts.”

“SES strongly opposes sharing the C-band with mobile operators as that would cause unsurmountable interferences which would lead to the loss of vital communications during emergency response and disaster relief efforts around the globe. In addition, it would put at risk satellite news gathering, programme distribution chains, international programming feeds, terrestrial transmission networks, and the provision of programming to cable head-ends.” SES concludes in its white paper.