ICO Selects Alcatel-Lucent and Hughes for Alpha Trial

ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited ("ICO”) (NASDAQ:ICOG) today announced that Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris:ALU) (NYSE:ALU) and Hughes Network Systems (Hughes) will develop key architecture and technology for use in ICO’s alpha trial of Mobile Interactive Media (MIM) services, set for spring of 2008. ICO MIM is a converged mobile media service which addresses a wide variety of consumers’ entertainment and communication needs, all based upon ICO’s next-generation geostationary satellite (ICO G1) and the deployment of an Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC). ICO MIM will provide multiple channels of high-quality mobile video to large-screen user devices. Alcatel-Lucent has been chosen to supply the system architecture and design based on the mobile multimedia DVB-SH open standard. Alcatel-Lucent and ICO are in final negotiations for Alcatel-Lucent to be the end-to-end network integrator for both the satellite and terrestrial networks and to provide corresponding installation and network integration services. ICO MIM also will provide full-duplex, IP data communication services between customer devices and ICO satellite base station equipment using Hughes’ proven ETSI standard GMR air interface technology, with a focus on Internet access, VoIP, and other data applications. In addition, Hughes will develop an integrated satellite terminal and antenna system to incorporate GMR and DVB-SH technologies, as well as a GPS receiver. Tim Bryan, ICO’s CEO commented, "ICO MIM lies at the intersection of three highly prized consumer services: interactive location-based services, using GPS with GMR for navigation plus live traffic, weather and social networks; emergency calling and messaging, for times and places when the traditional terrestrial networks are unavailable; and mobile video, on larger screens and with better quality than currently available. We plan an alpha trial on ICO MIM for the spring of 2008, including the deployment of a terrestrial network in two cities, to demonstrate the attractiveness of ICO’s assets being deployed for these services.” "We are pleased to see that our joint developments with chipset and terminal partners on the DVB-SH technology can be deployed in the U.S. market,” stated Olivier Coste, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Broadcast activities. "We consider hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks very powerful solutions to provide mobile broadcast services to consumers. Moreover, by leveraging the large ecosystem of the DVB-H open standard family, we believe that DVB-SH will enable a broadband range of mass market multimedia applications.” Matthew Mohebbi, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Satellite business unit at Hughes added, "GMR is a proven, high-performance open air interface, optimized to operate over satellite. We are proud to have been selected to deliver GMR base stations for the ICO alpha trial, as well as terminals that combine DVB-SH and GMR technologies that can offer consumers mobile integrated communications and entertainment.” ICO will describe ICO MIM in further detail at its previously announced Investor Conference on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. About ICO ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (www.ico.com) is a next-generation satellite communications company based in Reston, Virginia. ICO is developing an advanced hybrid system, combining both satellite and terrestrial communications capabilities, in order to offer wireless voice, data, video, and Internet services on mobile and portable devices. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com. About Alcatel-Lucent Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures exclude impact of activities transferred to Thales]. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: www.alcatel-lucent.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, including statements regarding the technologies Alcatel Lucent and Hughes will develop for ICO, the successful integration of these technologies, the deployment of ICO’s satellite, ICO’s terrestrial network and ancillary terrestrial component, the timing of any alpha trial, and the services included in ICO’s MIM offering. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expected results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include technical challenges in deploying our satellite and terrestrial network, and the systems necessary for our alpha trial and MIM offering. More information about these types of factors is contained in ICO’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak as of the date hereof, and ICO undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.