For the second consecutive year, COMSAT Brasil, Ltda., a subsidiary of COMSAT International, Inc., has been recognized by Network World Brasil magazine as the best Brazilian

satellite communications company providing the full range of network design, equipment installation and maintenance, and ongoing system operation.

Ten companies competed for the "Outsourcing of Satellite Networks"

professional services award this year. The magazine's editors evaluated the companies in eight categories including market share, financial results, quality of service, customer care, innovation and creativity, among others. COMSAT Brasil received a 78.6 score out of a maximum of 80 points. The average score for this year's entrants was 54.3.

"We're pleased and honored to be recognized again with this prestigious

award, and we're particularly proud of the quality of service and care that we provide to our customers," said Jose Lucio Natali, general manager of COMSAT Brasil. "As we expand our service offerings through our new Sao Paulo teleport, we look forward to continuing the tradition of being the best at satellite network design, maintenance and operation."

COMSAT Brasil recently inaugurated its first shared hub teleport, under a

new telecommunications license awarded to the company in April, 1998.

The shared hub will provide VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) and

Internet via satellite services to retailers, airlines, banks, petroleum

distributors and many other businesses that need to link multiple sites with a central location. These businesses typically transmit data such as credit card authorizations and other financial transactions, as well as inventory control and routine company information.

"The new teleport allows COMSAT Brasil to improve its services by

providing economical and efficient satellite communications to a broader

customer base," Natali said. "We can also link to the U.S. Internet backbone by connecting to COMSAT's digital teleport in the Washington, D.C. area," he added.

COMSAT Brasil employs satellite and terrestrial technologies to serve more than 300 multinational and domestic corporations. The company operates its own metropolitan backbone telecommunications networks in Sao Paulo, the center of business operations in Brazil, and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second largest city. COMSAT Brasil has approximately 240 employees with branches in 13 cities throughout the country including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Campinas.