FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST SATELLITE-TO-TTY MESSAGES SENT

Subscriber can now compose a message on a ORBCOMM hand-held satellite terminal and transmit that message to a TTY telephone subscriber

September 1998 -- Personal Satellite Network, or PSN, a provider of global two-way messaging services which use the ORBCOMM satellite network, today announced the successful testing of its satellite e-mail-to-TTY service. This service allows a subscriber, located anywhere in world, to compose a message on a ORBCOMM hand-held satellite terminal and transmit that message to a TTY telephone subscriber. This special capability is an important addition to PSN's regular satellite e-mail and fax services.

Until today, persons with speech and hearing impairments have been limited in the mobile communication options available to them. Cellular systems are generally concentrated in high population areas and are an incompatible mix of different technologies. Although some persons with hearing impairment can use cellular service, where it is available, with special adaptive equipment, the low quality of the voice transmission adds yet another barrier to quality mobile communications. With the high cost of cellular roaming charges, hotel telephone surcharges, and international calling charges it may be less expensive to send a simple e-mail, fax or TTY message using PSN's satellite-based system.

PSN's new e-mail-to-TTY service now makes it possible for anyone to reach those with speech impairment and/or hearing loss who depend on a TTY telephone as their primary means of telecommunication. Friends, relatives, and business associates can now keep in touch using PSN's two-way messaging service with e-mail, e-mail-to-fax, and e-mail-to-TTY.

"This was the most difficult of the TTY services to create, so we wanted to do it first," said Don Rickerson, president and founder of PSN. "The present service allows the sender of a TTY message to receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of the TTY message. Soon we will complete the suite of TTY services by allowing a TTY user to call, compose and send a message to a PSN satellite terminal located anywhere in the world."

PSN will be assisted in marketing the new service to people with speech and hearing impairments by Duartek, Inc. Joe Duarte founded Duartek Inc. with the mission of lowing or eliminating the sound and communication barriers that face deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in their daily lives through the innovative use of technology.

"Satellite TTY messaging service will give people with speech and hearing impairments true global communications at a reasonable price. It can be used anywhere in the world. It will allow communication from the most remote locations, even from a ship at sea," said Joe Duarte, president and founder of Duartek, Inc.

Personal Satellite Network, Inc. is located in Manassas, VA, and has its web site at www.skyhelp.net. Don Rickerson can be contacted at don at skyhelp.net or by telephone and fax at 703-330-9028.

Duartek, Inc. is located at 11150 Main St, Fairfax, VA. Joe Duarte can be contacted at duartek@aol.com, or by phone at 703-352-2285, fax 703-352-2287, TTY 703-352-2286.