WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 1996 - Mobile Communications Holdings, Inc., designer and developer of the Ellipso™ low-earth orbit, satellite-based mobile telecommunications system, has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office for its unique orbital design.

The Ellipso™ elliptical orbital design is unique among the anticipated competitors in the emerging satellite-based mobile voice and data telecommunications industry because it uses an orbital configuration that maximizes coverage of high population areas with just a few satellites in each orbital plane. It is anticipated that Ellipso will initiate full-time commercial service in early 2000.

Using just 17 satellites (including three spares), Ellipso™ divides its global coverage into two zones, each served mainly by its own subconstellation of satellites. The Borealis™ subconstellation primarily will serve areas in the Earth's northern temperate latitudes, while the Concordia™ subconstellation will serve areas in the tropical and southern latitudes. The result is a mobile worldwide telecommunications network that can focus coverage where it is needed most, making Ellipso™ the system of choice in areas with low telecommunications infrastructure.