The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), the Russian state satellite operator, and Romantis jointly announced that they will cooperate to develop joint business packages for the EMEA based on RSCC satellite capacity and Romantis hardware products and solutions.

The two companies will develop a commercial cooperation to make joint efforts with promotion and sales of RSCC satellite capacity for the Middle East and Europe and specifically Express-AM44 that was deployed at 11 West in February 2009.

The parties also agreed to develop customized packages combining a new IP based unified satellite communication VSAT hardware platform (UHP-1000), produced by Romantis in Germany with satellite capacity of RSCC. Such packages will include "turn-key" solutions for corporate networks, broadband access, GSM backhaul and etc.

The broadcasting and communications Express-AM44 satellite is produced by ISS Reshetnev company (former NPO PM) jointly with Thales Alenia Space and equipped with payload operating in C, Ku and L bands. The two high-power Ku-band spot beams provide uniform coverage of Europe and the Middle East enabling high-quality video, voice and data services throughout the EMEA region.

"EMEA region is one of the most important markets for RSCC, - said RSCC Acting Director General Yuri Prokhorov. - This partnership will allow both companies to penetrate further into the satellite communications market of Europe and the Middle East, providing customers with turn-key solutions".

Dr. Harald W. Stange, Managing Director of Romantis GmbH said, "Express-AM44 is the cost-effective and reliable satellite to serve the EMEA region and the leading-edge hardware platform we produce is a universal and all-sufficient tool to deploy various VSAT networks of any topology.

Romantis has strong local presence and service capabilities. Together with Express-AM44 capacity, we can offer one of the most competitive solutions in the Middle East as well as in Europe and North Africa in the region both for government and enterprise customers."