Lockheed Martin Corp. has been selected to supply a $700 million satellite communication system that will provide mobile telephone service to 14 Asian countries.
HTC The Bethesda-based defense and aerospace company was selected over GM Hughes Electronics Corp. to negotiate the final contract to build two satellites, have them launched into space and provide the ground stations. GM Hughes is the aerospace unit of General Motors Corp.
The system, which is scheduled to be launched in 1998, is to provide voice, data and facsimile service to hand-held mobile and fixed telephones.
"This was an extremely important win for us," said Charles P. Manor, a spokesman for Lockheed Martin. "It's a big project in an important market. The Asian market is exploding, and we want to be a player in that market."
He said yesterday's announcement of a signing of a letter of intent with a consortium of three Asian companies -- Jasmine International PCL of Thailand, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara of Indonesia -- offers the potential for related business in the Pacific Rim.
Mr. Manor said the company expects to finalize a contract with the consortium within the next month. The company has estimated the value of the work. The satellites will be built at Lockheed Martin's East Windsor, N.J., plant.
