As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2003
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FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Press Release Dated February 7, 2003
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
New Skies Satellites N.V.
Rooseveltplantsoen 4
2517 KR The Hague
The Netherlands
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[NEW SKIES SATELLITES LOGO]
New Skies to re-deploy NSS-8 satellite to satisfy
growing demand in Indian Ocean region
The Hague, Netherlands, February 6, 2003 - New Skies Satellites N.V. (AEX, NYSE:
NSK), the global satellite communications company, today announced that it will
re-deploy its NSS-8 satellite, originally scheduled to be launched to 105
degrees west longitude for Americas coverage, to the company's 57 east slot to
provide expansion capacity in response to demand in the Indian Ocean region.
NSS-8 is expected to commence commercial service at 57 east, where New Skies'
NSS-703 satellite is currently operating, on or around January 1, 2005.
By deploying its newest, largest, and most powerful satellite to an established
orbital location in the Indian Ocean region, New Skies will ensure it can
continue to meet the current and future needs of its many customers throughout
India, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa as well as capitalize on the region's
strong projected growth.
NSS-8 originally had been planned for launch in late 2003 to serve the Americas
market from 105 degrees west longitude. NSS-703, launched in 1994, has long been
one of New Skies' most highly utilized satellites. Following its replacement by
NSS-8, New Skies will re-deploy NSS-703, which is expected to continue
commercial service until 2009, to another orbital location.
"This decision underscores New Skies' operational agility and our commitment to
make the most efficient and productive use of our satellite resources and
committed capital expenditure programs in a dynamic market environment," said
Dan Goldberg, chief executive officer of New Skies Satellites.
"The geographic regions served from 57 east are among the world's fastest
growing markets. NSS-8 will bring our customers in the Indian Ocean region the
most powerful follow-on capacity with the most comprehensive connectivities
available. Further, by repositioning the NSS-8 delivery date and by obviating
our need to procure a replacement for NSS-703 in the near term, this decision
positions New Skies to achieve positive free cash flow in the current year and
will result in approximately $250 million in additional free cash flow over the
course of the next three years."
New Skies and Boeing Satellite Systems, the spacecraft manufacturer, have worked
closely together to reconfigure NSS-8 for service from 57 east longitude. NSS-8
will carry 56 C-band and 36 high-power Ku-band transponders, making it one of
the largest and highest power satellites with coverage of Europe, the Middle
East, India, Africa and Asia.
"We at New Skies have been impressed with the commercial responsiveness that
Boeing has demonstrated in working with our NSS-8 team," said Goldberg. "As is
the hallmark of New Skies' satellites, extensive beam inter-connectivity has
been built into the satellite design, allowing New Skies to offer flexible
solutions to customer requirements and to respond to evolving market conditions
over the estimated 16-year life of the satellite."
Although NSS-8 will not be deployed to the Americas, New Skies remains committed
to developing its 105 west slot in a timely manner. This location is a valuable
resource because of its unique ability to see all of North and South America.
Goldberg said: "Far from abandoning the Americas market, we believe that the 105
west location provides a compelling growth opportunity. We have every intention
to make full and productive use of this valuable resource."
About New Skies Satellites (AEX, NYSE: NSK)
New Skies Satellites (AEX, NYSE: NSK) is one of only four fixed satellite
communications companies with truly global satellite coverage, offering video,
voice, data and Internet communications services to a range of
telecommunications carriers, broadcasters, large corporations and Internet
service providers around the world. New Skies has six satellites in orbit and
ground facilities around the world. The company has one additional spacecraft
under construction. The company also has secured certain rights to make use of
additional orbital positions for future growth. New Skies is headquartered in
The Hague, The Netherlands, and has offices in Beijing, Johannesburg, New Delhi,
Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Washington, D.C. Additional information is
available at www.newskies.com.
For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Hess, +31 70 306 4133
New Skies Satellites +31 6 2906 2492
The Hague, The Netherlands
ehess@newskies.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
New Skies Satellites N.V.
By: /s/ Mary Dent
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Name: Mary Dent
Title: Member of Board of Management
Date: 2/7/2003