BP's U.S. retail marketing operations, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, operate a network of more than 7,500 convenience store/service stations, including BP Express sites, in more than 30 states.

Initially, BP will utilize GE Spacenet's VSAT system to offer fast credit/debit card authorization and pay-at-the-pump services to minimize customer waiting time. The VSAT network's versatility will enable BP to use it to support other important data, video, and audio applications in the future, such as automatic teller machines (ATMs), downloading of software and price file updates to stores for accurate and consistent pricing, fuel tank monitoring, video-to-the-pump, and in-store audio.

GE Spacenet will provide BP with a comprehensive VSAT network solution that will be managed and maintained from GE Spacenet's shared satellite hub station in Chicago. Network implementation is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Satellite space segment for the BP VSAT network is provided by GE Americom's GSTAR IV satellite.

Bob Paisley, Manager, National Credit Card Center for BP, said, "VSAT's flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness is proven throughout the retail petroleum industry. We are convinced that converting from a terrestrial network to VSAT will help us to offer exceptional customer service."

Paisley added, "During our evaluation phase, we tested several VSAT systems. GE Spacenet's system offered the speed and reliability that we were looking for in a communications network."

GE Spacenet President Gino Picasso said, "In addition to Skystar Advantage's superior performance, BP will also be receiving our ongoing support for their VSAT hardware, software, and network management needs. Our dedication to quality, service, and innovation will provide BP the benefit of the latest advances in VSAT technology."