CapRock Appints VP to Head New Maritime Division

[Jason]

HOUSTON/PRNewswire/ -- Global Satellite Communications Provider Expands European Presence and Reach in Cruise and Commercial Maritime Markets.

CapRock Communications, a leading global satellite communications provider to remote locations, today announced that it has appointed Tore Hilde as vice president of European operations. In addition to expanding CapRock's European presence, which already includes an international teleport and 24/7 network operations center in the United Kingdom, Hilde will be launching a new maritime services division based in Norway. The new maritime division will further expand the company's position in the industrial maritime, cruise line and commercial shipping markets. The appointment is another major step in a campaign by CapRock to significantly expand its presence both globally and across an array of vertical markets.

CapRock, which is celebrating its 25th year in business, has provided remote communications solutions including two-way marine radio systems, mobile satellite services, and its own line of high-performance broadband VSAT-based satellite services to maritime clients for more than two decades.

"Our expertise has always been in stabilized satellite communications for deep water operations like survey and seismic vessels, drill ships, large-scale dive boats and other support vessels to the offshore energy industry," CapRock President and COO Errol Olivier said. "In recent years, we have leveraged that experience to reach cruise ships, transoceanic tankers and cargo vessels. Worldwide, we are on board more than 150 vessels and offshore facilities of varying types, as well as several hundred land-based locations, providing everything from basic voice services, to complete corporate communications, broadband Internet access, and real-time video solutions. Bringing on an industry expert like Tore strengthens CapRock's position as a trusted advisor to our customers, helping them identify the right technologies and solutions for their application environments."

Hilde brings more than 20 years of experience in maritime and satellite

communications to CapRock. Prior to joining CapRock, he served as CEO of the Norwegian company Telenor Satellite Services (TSS), a subsidiary of Telenor ASA Group. During his tenure at TSS, Tore was responsible for a number of expansion, acquisition and integration initiatives, helping the company become a leading provider of both mobile and fixed satellite communications. Hilde has also served on a number of boards of directors in the satellite communications and maritime industries.

"The next few years will see tremendous change in broadband communication options for maritime customers as well as for other customers in remote areas," Hilde said. "New technologies and product offerings are entering the market and will provide cruise and shipping fleets with huge leaps in price/performance over the usage-based systems they have used in the past. With extensive maritime expertise and a world-class, self-owned global infrastructure, CapRock is positioned to be the premier provider of high-performance maritime communications. I am excited to join CapRock and look forward to being a part of a company with such a strong reputation for quality, performance, and

reliability."

"Tore's industry knowledge, strong connections with the European market and deep operational experience will be key assets in CapRock's expansion plans within both maritime and other markets," CapRock CEO Peter Shaper said. "CapRock aims to be not just a strong player, but rather the most trusted name in global maritime communications for ship captains and fleet managers alike. With Tore's background and expertise, we have already made a giant step toward that goal. We are very pleased to have him on board."

About CapRock Communications:

Established in 1981, CapRock Communications is a premier global satellite

communications provider for the off-shore energy, maritime, construction and mining industries, as well as for disaster relief and government applications. The company utilizes the latest field proven satellite technologies to deliver highly reliable managed communication services for broadband networking, real-time video and digital telephony to the world's harshest and most remote locations. CapRock delivers on its promise to be the market's reliability leader by leveraging "best of breed" partnerships, technical expertise and a robust self-owned and operated global infrastructure that includes four international teleports and nine regional operation centers across the U.S., Central and South America, Europe, West Africa and Asia Pacific.