Our Company
KaComm Communications Pty Ltd is an Australian company incorporated in May 2006 with a charter to develop Ka-band satellite broadband services for Australia with specific emphasis on rural, remote and underserved areas. KaComm will use state-of-the-art third generation Ka-Band satellite and ground-based technologies to provide nationwide, high speed broadband services reaching all Australians, regardless of where they live and work. Metro-comparable (FTTP and ADSL2+) service quality and pricing will be available to all. KaComm's national broadband network will be independent of terrestrial infrastructure and can provide a separate, independent, fully operational broadband network in times of emergency.
KaComm is an Australian company, majority owned and managed by Australians. KaComm's senior management has extensive experience in satellite broadband in Australia and overseas. KaComm will be a wholesale broadband service provider and intends to market at the retail level through Internet Service Providers. This open access environment will ensure competition at the retail level leading to better service quality and competitive pricing for consumers. KaComm has unique regulatory rights to Ka-band spectrum secured through the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). ACMA sponsored KaComm filings with the International Telecommunications Union for Australian geostationary satellite orbital slots located at 137.9°E, 150°E, 154°E, and 160°E.
KaComm is backed by the technical and business expertise of Loral Space and Communications Inc, a billion dollar NASDAQ listed company. Loral is the world leader in the manufacture of broadband satellites and two-thirds owner of the world's fourth largest commercial communications satellite operator. Loral is also a major shareholder in KaComm.
KaComm's Owners
Chairman of KaComm — Dr Gregory J. Clark
Dr. Gregory J Clark is a world-renowned scientist, technologist and businessman.
He spent 15 years as a Research Staff Member in the IBM Research Division, Yorktown Heights, New York.
Subsequently, as President of News Technology Group and a Member of the News Corporation Executive Committee, Greg oversaw all technology within News Corporation and was responsible for all technology related companies within the Group, including all Internet and the satellite pay TV companies. Some of these companies, such as Israel based NDS, became billion dollar enterprises. He was responsible for News Corporation's transformation of its media assets from an analogue platform into a digital platform for both program creation and delivery.
Greg Clark left his role as Director of Technology for News Corporation to take up the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Loral Space and Communications based in New York. This company is the world's largest commercial satellite manufacturer and, at that time, the world's second largest satellite operator. He was Chairman of GlobalStar and SatMex. During his time at Loral, he oversaw the development and manufacture of satellites, their launch and commercial operation. He worked with a group of entrepreneurs to develop Wildblue, the world's first truly broadband satellite that now serves approximately 500,000 customers in the USA using a Loral-built Ka-band satellite.
Dr. Clark served as an advisor to the Apollo Management Group on the acquisition of several satellite service providers including Intelsat and Hughes Network Systems. In this capacity, he assisted Hughes during their entry into 2nd generation satellite broadband services business and oversaw for HNS the build, by Boeing, of the Spaceway 3 Ka-Band satellite.
Greg has received a number of international awards and fellowships in recognition of his contributions to technology and society. He was on the Australia Prime Minister's Science and Technology Committee from 1990 to 1998. He is currently a Director of the ANZ Banking Group.
Executive Director — Keith Goetsch
As KaComm's co-founder, Keith is the visionary behind the initial Australian Ka-band orbital slot filings in 2000. Keith has been involved in the development of broadband and asset monitoring satellite communications system concepts in Australia and internationally since 1992. Keith has experience in the regulatory, technical, marketing and management aspects of the GEO and LEO satellite industries. He is also the Managing Director of Kagoe Communications which has secured a series of Ka-band satellite orbital and spectrum filings around the world. Keith supported Hughes Network Systems' acquisition of an orbital slot for the deployment of the Spaceway 3 satellite broadband system serving the U.S.
In July 2008 Keith was the recipient of the National Space Society of Australia's Australian Space Pioneer Award in recognition of his leadership in the initiation of Australian space activities. He was a finalist for the 2009 World Technology Award in the category of Space. Keith holds a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Queensland.
Loral Space and Communications
Loral Space and Communications, Inc. is a billion-dollar publicly traded corporation listed on the U.S. NASDAQ (LORL). Wholly owned subsidiary Space Systems/Loral is the world's leading manufacturer of high-power, technically advanced communication satellites, and the leading manufacturer of Ka-Band and broadband satellites such as will be deployed by KaComm. Loral is also two-thirds owner of Telesat, the world's fourth largest satellite services provider, supporting many business customers and approximately 75,000 Ka-band broadband subscribers in Canada. Loral has significant experience working with early-phase satellite services companies including WildBlue and Sirius Satellite Radio.
KaComm's Key People
Deputy Chairman — Anthony J. Colucci
Tony Colucci has joined the KaComm team on assignment from Space Systems/Loral where he is Vice President, Marketing and Sales. Tony is responsible for the marketing and sales of SS/L communications satellites and systems in Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East. He specialises in assisting customers in starting and building satellite businesses.
Mr. Colucci has more than 25 years experience in satellites and space, and more than 20 years experience in Australia including the Aussat B and Optus C1 programs. He has been instrumental in the development of the KaComm program since 2006.
He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Wharton's School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Astrophysics
Chief Financial Officer — Derrick Docherty
Derrick commenced his career with IBM Australia in 1961 in the Finance Division. In 1968 he was appointed Controller and Chief Financial Officer of the Australian and New Zealand Region of IBM, and in 1974 he was appointed Controller of the Office Products Division.
Derrick was appointed Director of Finance and Planning for the ANZ Region and was a member of the Board of IBM Australia from 1968 and also a number of subsidiaries including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBM Australia Credit Limited. Derrick finished his career with IBM as the controller of the Office Products Division of IBM World Trade Corporation, New York.
He retired from the IBM Australia Group of Companies in 1990 and pursued a career as a professional director. Derrick has held numerous directorships since 1987 to the present.
Derrick is a Fellow and past State President and National Councillor of CPA Australia, an Honorary Trustee of The Committee of Economic Development of Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Member of Financial Executives International
Chief Network Engineer — Denis Jorgensen
Denis has spent twenty years in the Information and Communications Technology industry, with his career commencing in the Australian Army. His postings included management of Defence's Satellite Control Facility, the procurement of satellite communications capability, integration of satellite communications into fibre, microwave, mobile telephony and wireless systems, and the introduction of ATM switching into satellite networks.
From 2000 until 2005 Denis held a variety of roles in the IT security industry culminating in General Manager of CyberTrust's Asia Pacific Managed Services division. Denis moved to KAZ Group, a wholly owned Telstra subsidiary, with responsibility for services to 50,000 Department of Defence workstations and associated service desk, server, application, telecommunications network and information security systems. In 2007 Denis became an Executive Director of AussieHQ Pty Ltd, an Australian web services company specialising in the small to medium enterprise market, and has helped build it into Australia's fourth largest provider.
Denis holds Bachelor's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Science (with Computer Science and Geography majors) from the University of NSW, and an MBA from Deakin University.
Program Manager — Roger Franzen
Roger has extensive satellite and space experience, and is the Principal of the consultancy group Earthspace, which is involved with civilian and defence space activities and specializes in systems engineering and space training. He has been active in the European and Australian space engineering industries for nearly 30 years.
Roger began his career in 1980 with British Aerospace, Space & Communications (UK) and whilst in Europe, was involved with the construction and launch of seven commercial communications satellites. He worked with Auspace Limited on several national programs becoming Managing Director of the company from 1998 to 2006.
Under contract to Optus in 1997, Roger managed the definition phase of the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Capability (ADSCC).
Roger has held several advisory and office bearer positions and is a participant in a number of government space advisory committees. He is a recipient of the National Space Society of Australia's Australian Space Pioneer Award for 2002. Roger is a graduate of Curtin University in WA.
Technical Partners
Space Systems/Loral
To supply the third-generation broadband Ka-band satellites, KaComm has established a supplier relationship with Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), based in Palo Alto, California, USA. Founded more than 50 years ago, SS/L has become the world's premier supplier of high power satellites including C-, Ku-, and Ka-band satellites for fixed, broadcast, and broadband services. SS/L has proven to be a preferred provider of high performance satellites worldwide with more than 30 satellites delivered to Intelsat alone. SS/L satellites have accumulated more than 1,500 transponder years on orbit and routinely exceed contractually committed performance, with 22,694 transponder years delivered against 19,263 transponder years contracted, as illustrated in Figure 1. SS/L 2008 revenue was US$869.4 million and is wholly owned by Loral Space and Communications, Inc., a publicly traded corporation listed on the U.S. NASDAQ (LORL). Especially germane to the KaComm project, SS/L has manufactured more commercial Ka-band satellites than all other manufacturers combined and is the market leader for broadband Ka-band satellites, having built IPStar and WildBlue and building currently ViaSat-1, which when launched will be the highest capacity third-generation broadband Ka-band satellite in service. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
Figure 1. Transponder Years Required by Contract and Delivered for
Commercial 3-Axis Control Spacecraft
Space Systems Loral's Key People
Arnold Friedman — Space Systems/Loral, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales; Space Systems/Loral Palo Alto, California
Arnold Friedman is senior vice president of marketing and sales at Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and vice president of business development at parent company, Loral Space & Communications (NASDAQ: LORL). He is responsible for all of SS/L's commercial sales and marketing activity around the globe, including activity in more than 25 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
At SS/L, Mr. Friedman has pioneered new satellite applications sales in digital radio, broadband Internet, local television and next generation mobile satellite services, and under his direction the company has established itself as the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites.
Friedman rejoined SS/L in 2002 after a two-year hiatus as president of an international company formed to provide new satellite-based consumer television and telecommunications services.
Prior to that, Mr. Friedman was vice president, ventures, for SS/L from 1996 to 2000. In that role he directed sales campaigns to established and start-up companies, and evaluated the potential of new technologies and investments.
Mr. Friedman is on the board of directors of XTAR, LLC, a satellite communications company that provides services in support of diplomatic, military, and security communications worldwide. He is also on the board of directors of ZeroDivide™, a charitable foundation investing in community enterprises that leverage technology to benefit people in low-income and other disadvantaged communities.
About Space Systems/Loral -- Based in Palo Alto, California, Space Systems/Loral provides satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to deliver spacecraft for a broad range of services including direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile satellite services. With a 50-year history and more than 1,400 on-orbit years logged, SS/L helps customers meet business objectives with advanced solutions based on space-proven heritage designs. Space Systems/Loral is a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NASDAQ: LORL). For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
Richard Currier — Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Loral Space and Communications
In addition to his duties with Loral Space and Communications, Richard is KaComm's acting Chief Technical Officer.
During his career Richard has managed development programs for new satellite services in the UHF, L-, C-, Ku-, and Ka-bands. Rich provides technical leadership for the development of the KaComm satellite system.
Richard has 17 years experience in leadership and nearly29years experience in satellite and wireless communications, technology and information systems and has been responsible for managing technical activities, new initiatives, and corporate development projects. Previously Rich was President and Chief Operating Officer of Loral Skynet, a global provider of fixed satellite services and integrated communication solutions.
Prior to becoming President of Skynet, Rich was responsible for leading the company's engineering and business operations activities in developing, deploying, and managing satellite and network-based services. Rich commenced his career with 17 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories performing R & D in support of AT&T's satellite communication services.
Richard holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University
Ken Faller — Executive Director, Space Systems Loral
Ken Faller has 36 years experience in the space industry and will manage the manufacture of KaComm's satellite. Ken represented Hughes Aircraft Company in Japan for 2 years and Space Systems/Loral for 4 years, including time as the Executive Director of the Japan's Multifunction Transport Satellite (MTSAT) Program, responsible for all aspects of the satellite manufacturing and test program. Ken spent five years in program development for Hughes and for The Analytic Sciences Corporation, developing business with NASA for satellite manufacturing and for international systems to collect, process, archive and distribute satellite data.
His record in assembly, integration, and test and program management offices includes delivery of 15 satellites. Ken served six years as a principal investigator at NASA. Ken holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles; and a B.S., Physics from Duke University.
William Hreha — System Architect, Space Systems/Loral
At SS/L, Bill Hreha manages the technical teams responsible for delivering turn-key satellite-based telecommunications systems for both fixed and mobile applications. Bill is an experienced telecommunications network architect with 26 years experience in government and industry space activities, designing national and global telecommunication systems. Bill is assisting in the architecting of KaComm communications network, including the integration of the satellite into the terrestrial communications system.
Bill has experience with systems engineering, managing national wireless and terrestrial network developments, designing over satellite protocols, marketing network security products, engineering network management systems, and manufacturing satellites.
During the 1980's Bill lead national space based telecommunication satellite Integration, verification, and validation and the user terminal to space pre launch performance verification. In the late 1990's Bill lead teams through the development of over satellite protocols for global space based telecommunication systems and was awarded a US Patent for a protocol architecture in 2002.