Scientific-Atlanta is providing Embratel

(Empresa Brasileira de Telecomunicacoes S.A.), Brazil's only interstate and

international long distance carrier, with a 2,500 unit VSAT system to provide gas stations with high-speed credit card authorizations.

The extensive US$13.6 million VSAT network will consist of a Scientific-

Atlanta main hub station located in Sao Paulo and 2500 remote SkyRelay

satellite data stations to serve Brazil's more than 160 million citizens

across all 26 states. The network, scheduled for operation in March 1998,

will include the largest installation to date of the SkyRelay Series 3000

system, Scientific-Atlanta's newest, high-performance VSAT equipment. Other

SkyRelay Series 3000 systems are in use or being installed for Shared Data

Networks in the U.S., Telstra V-Comm in India, and Transtel and Siemens Atea

in Africa.

The SkyRelay data VSAT system was recently named “Best VSAT Solution'' in

Satellite Communications magazine's reader survey for Best Technologies of

1997. The SkyRelay system was among those deemed “the hottest products of

1997'' and was highlighted in the magazine's December edition.

The network uses C-band links and its Network Management System (NMS) is

capable of supporting as many as 5000 remote sites as Embratel expands the

number of customers served. “Credit card verification by satellite for

gasoline purchases is a new application for Brazilian retailers,'' said

Guilherme Ceotto Metello, Services and Networks Department Manager at

Embratel. “Since transactions can be authorized so quickly by a satellite

connection, we are offering the retailers a significant improvement in the

ability to serve their customers. ''

This popular SkyRelay satellite data network system is already in use at

some of the largest supermarket, automotive parts, and drug store retail

chains in the U.S., and is widely recognized for its comprehensive Network

Management System. The SkyRelay Series 3000 system's attractive pricing and

versatile feature set make it well suited for use in multi-location

operations, such as self-serve gasoline/convenience stores. Additionally, the system's SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) support for LAN enterprise network solutions and the addition of a data broadcast application make it a powerful business solution for use in a variety of markets and businesses.

“Brazil, which has the largest gross domestic product of any South

American nation, is poised to increase its stature in the worldwide business

community,'' said Simon Wakefield, managing director, Latin America for the

Satellite Networks business unit at Scientific-Atlanta. “The Embratel network provides services which can improve and protect the currency flow to an important, large group of retailers. By bringing this new service to Brazil, Embratel has adopted a forward-looking approach to helping businesses run efficiently.''

GAP Communications Systems is assisting Scientific-Atlanta with hub site

survey and installation and tests of two hubs and two remote stations,

training in Brazil for the operations and maintenance personnel, installation of the remote sites, and supervision of operation and maintenance during the initial period of activation.