Media Release
23 December 1999
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure
| APT Satellite Holdings Limited (the "Company") together with its subsidiaries (the "Group") is Y2K compliant after the completion of all its TT&C Systems (as defined below) Y2K upgrades on 23rd December, 1999. The Group has also implemented a plan to cater for any contingency and set up a control centre for the coming Y2K rollover. |
The Board of the Company announces that all the Group's satellite systems, APSTAR-I, APSTAR-IA and APSTAR-IIR, including their respective Tracking, Telemetry and Command Systems (the "TT&C Systems") have fully conformed to Y2K compliance requirements on 23rd December, 1999.
As reported in the announcement of the Company of 19th November, 1999, Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc., the vendor of APSTAR-I and APSTAR-IA obtained the required license to upgrade the software modules in respect of the TT&C Systems of these two satellites. The Y2K upgrades were completed on 15th December, 1999. The TT&C Systems of APSTAR-I and APSTAR-IA are therefore fully Y2K ready.
The vendor of APSTAR-IIR, Space System/Loral also obtained the required license to upgrade the software module for the TT&C System of APSTAR-IIR. The Y2K upgrade was completed on 23rd December, 1999. The TT&C Systems of APSTAR-IIR is therefore also fully Y2K ready.
As a result of the Y2K upgrades of the TT&C Systems, the APSTAR Systems of the Group have fully conformed to Y2K compliance requirements. In addition, all other automation and important systems of the Group are also Y2K compliant.
Though the risk of Y2K hazard causing threat to the Group's operation is considered to be negligible after completion of all the above Y2K upgrades, the Group has taken measures to cater for any contingency that may arise during the high risk periods at the Y2K rollover or those periods identified by the concerned governmental entities in Hong Kong (the "high risk periods"). The measures include the implementation of a contingency plan that includes, among other measures, the strengthening of communication linkage between the Group and each of the said satellite vendors as well as the deployment of additional management and technical staff in the Group's Satellite Control Centre during the said high risk periods. A control centre has also been set up by the Group to liaise with the Control Centres of the Office of Telecommunications Authority and the Television and Entertainment Licencing Authority during the high risk periods.
In view of the above upgrades and measures taken and the Company's continuing effort in providing quality and reliable transponder services to its customers, the directors believe that the Y2K rollover and the high risk periods thereafter will not cause any disruption to the operation of the Group's business.
By Order of the Board
Brian LO
Company Secretary
23rd December, 1999, Hong Kong
END
For inquiries:
Contact: Brian LO, Asst to President/Company Secretary
Tel: (852) 29188013 or (852) 98334087 (portable) Fax: (852) 25220419
Email: aptir@apstar.com
Website: www.apstar.com
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