Question:
Why were you selected for Skynet 5?

Answer:
Paradigm's experience in service delivery through Project WELCOME and EADS Astrium's proven capability in satellites, ground terminals and overall milsatcom systems, ensured the Paradigm team was well-placed to continue supporting the UK MOD's milsatcom requirements over the next 2 decades.

Question:
What are the main timescales for the Skynet 5 programme?

Answer:
When "Transitional Operational Service" (TOS) commenced on 30 May 2003, Paradigm took over operation of the Skynet 4 satellites, started work on ground segment upgrades and expanded the existing welfare Customer Support team to cover all Paradigm's milsatcom services. At "Initial Operational Service" (IOS) in spring 2005, the UK ground segments will be complete, thus bringing enhanced capability. From mid 2005 EADS Astrium commenced build of the Skynet 5 satellites which are due to be launched at the end of 2006 and the end of 2007, coming into service around 6 months later. "Full Operational Service" (FOS) will take effect in 2008.

Question:
What are the plans for launch?

Answer:
Paradigm Secure Communciations' contract with EADS Astrium includes provision of all launch services, including launch costs and launch insurances and the final decision on launch service provider is yet to be taken.

Question:
Where will the work be done?

Answer:
Paradigm has an excellent team at locations across the UK, from it's head office to offices in Portsmouth. Under the contract, Paradigm is leasing three MoD sites at Corsham, Colerne and Oakhanger. The main service delivery activity will be managed from Corsham, utilising the satellite ground systems at Colerne and Oakhanger. The Skynet 5 space and ground segment will be supplied by EADS Astrium at its Stevenage, Portsmouth and Poynton UK sites. Some work will also be carried out at EADS Astrium's other sites across Europe.

Question:
What does Skynet 5 mean to UK industry?

Answer:
This is a key contract which means that unique skills will be retained within the UK. It is excellent news for EADS SPACE, its supplier base and all the Paradigm team members, including EADS Cogent, General Dynamics Decision Systems, LogicaCMG, Serco, Cable & Wireless and Stratos.

Question:
What does the Skynet 5 contract mean to EADS as a whole?

Answer:
Skynet 5 was one of EADS' most significant contract signaturs of 2003. The UK is a key market for EADS and is recognised alongside France, Germany and Spain as one of its home nations. EADS intends to build on its role as a world class prime contractor in the UK, becoming a partner of choice for the British Armed Forces.

Question:
Why does Paradigm need to borrow money for Skynet 5?

Answer:
Together with shareholder equity, this will provide Paradigm with the necessary funds to build and commission the Skynet 5 system, including all ground terminal upgrades, in order to deliver reliable and cost effective milsatcom services.

Question:
How is Paradigm able to guarantee to third party customers that their communications cannot be intercepted by Paradigm or UK MOD?

Answer:
For Skynet 5 to be successful, all our customers must be assured that interception is neither possible, nor on Paradigm/the UK MOD's agenda. Specific evidence of this is that end-to-end communications customers will use their own data protection methods, secondly they may choose to use our transponder service and thirdly, for our full service provision, security procedures will be agreed on a case-by-case basis, according to customer requirements.

Question:
What other experiences does Paradigm have in the field of service provision?

Answer:
Paradigm delivers a wide range of services to government organisations including welfare communications services to MOD defined "entitled personnel" on overseas operations such as the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and on board RN ships under the Project WELCOME contract. Paradigm's welfare service has been successfully delivered at locations worldwide since 1999. It's ability to deliver communications services in an operational environment was well and truly tested and proved highly successful during the recent Gulf conflict, with a peak number of over 45,000 troops using Paradigm's service.