15/5/03

RN & RM EVEREST NORTH RIDGE EXPEDITION IS NOW UNDERWAY

· Royal Navy/Royal Marines team sets off for Everest
· Paradigm Services is one of the main sponsors, providing financial backing and satellite communications equipment

A Royal Navy and Royal Marines (RN/RM) team, soon to attempt conquering Everest using one of the most technically challenging routes, has arrived in Tibet.  Initial information received from the expedition has been transmitted using hi-tech satellite communications equipment provided by the Paradigm team.

A party of 10 climbers and 3 support managers plan to make their first summit attempt on this, the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing. 

The expedition has been made possible with the support of a number of companies*, including Paradigm Services, which is soon to become the service delivery company for the UK MOD’s Skynet 5 programme.  Paradigm Services is one of the main financial sponsors and, with its partners Stratos and General Dynamics, has loaned the commercial satellite communications equipment, which is allowing the expedition team to keep in touch with the outside world.

Images received at Base Camp are being transmitted to international media and families and friends back home using Paradigm Services’ links provided by the Stratos Regional BGAN system and using the General Dynamics’ provided Iridium network.   In addition to these vital datalinks, support trek team members are able to use Paradigm’s welfare communications service, currently provided to UK troops on MOD-defined ‘entitled operations’ overseas, to keep their loved ones up-to-date from Base Camp. 

In addition to the main summit team, there are three support treks taking place from Kathmandu (Nepal) to the Tibetan Everest Base Camp (5,200m), involving 54 servicemen and women selected from all ranks, units and branches across the RN and RM.  Each trek comprises a 16-day, less specialised venture, conducted with Nepalese Sherpa and yak support throughout.  These teams are providing logistic re-supply to Base Camp and conducting environmental projects to remove rubbish and waste left on the mountain by previous expeditions.

For further information about the expedition please contact: Lt Fiona Shepherd RN, PR & Media Manager, or visit rneverestnorthridge2003.com

For further information about the Paradigm team please contact Mary Walmsley, Paradigm Services’ Marketing Manager, on 01438 774419 or
Images available at: http://paradigmsecure.com/news/images/index.php?tbl=tblImageLibrary

*The main Sponsors are EDS, Paradigm Services (including General Dynamics and Stratos), Panasonic and Peli Products. 
Full sponsor information may be found at http://www.rneverestnorthridge2003.com/sponsors.asp

About Paradigm Services

Paradigm was formed in 1999 to address the emerging military satellite communications services market and has been providing welfare communications services to UK Armed Forces overseas for the past three years.  The Paradigm team was selected as preferred bidder for the Skynet 5 military satellite communications services programme in 2002 and is currently working with the MOD towards contract award.  Paradigm Secure Communications is leading the Paradigm team and will contract with Paradigm Services for full Skynet 5 service delivery and Astrium for the Skynet 5 satellites and ground systems.  At contract award, both Paradigm companies will be wholly owned by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, EADS. 

Paradigm is proud to be sponsoring the RN/RM Everest expedition and joins in celebrating their success.  To learn more about Paradigm, please visit www.paradigmservices.com

About General Dynamics Decision Systems

General Dynamics Decision Systems provides Iridium service operations to the Governments of both the United Kingdom and United States.  General Dynamics understands that no two government entities will have the same satellite communications needs, which is why we created Decision Systems’ Satellite Communication Services.  We are focussed on the needs of government entities at all levels, including military, federal, state and local governments.  Because of our relationship with other General Dynamics entities, we are capable of providing a single point of contact for government for its producst and services, for the technical development of secure products, as well as the development and support of other complex military applications.

We are delighted to have provided the successful Royal Navy/Royal Marines team with IRIDIUM satellite communications equipment, enabling both voice and data links with the rest of the world using the handheld 9505 satellite ‘phone and datalink software, together with solar charging equipment and network service access.  For more information on the wide range of General Dynamics Decision Systems capabilities, please go to www.gd-decisionsystems.com

About Stratos

Stratos is a leading supplier of global remote commercial satellite telecommunications to the UK armed forces, offering a wide range of solutions including the full range of Inmarsat products and services, Iridium and VSAT services to customers operating beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial telecommunications.  Stratos is the only land earth station operator to have a wholly owned global network, with earth stations in Goonhilly, Cornwall and Auckland, New Zealand, providing 98% world coverage.  

The equipment being used by the Everest team comprises two Stratos GAN terminals bonded together to give 128kbps live video link from the summit.  Each GAN terminal gives the user an ISDN connection at 64kbps and is ideal for communicating with the rest of the world while in inhospitable locations.  Stratos is also providing the team with their newest solution, a Stratos Regional BGAN terminal which provides an IP link at 144kbps and is being used at Base Camp to email back updates and pictures.  It is very small, very light and is a true plug and play solution which works with either your laptop PC or PDA via USB, Bluetooth or Ethernet interfaces.  To learn more about Stratos, please visit www.stratosglobal.com