SUNNYVALE, CA, July 1, 1998 - Xicom Technology, the leader in SATCOM amplifier technology, today announced the opening of an authorized service center, Boreal-Beta Communications (BBC), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

BBC employs Xicom factory-trained engineers that respond in a very timely manner and will maintain a spare parts inventory for in-house and field repair. "Xicom customers can expect a higher level of service and expertise at a much shorter turnaround time", remarked Steve Walley, Marketing Manager at Xicom Technology Headquarters. Additionally, BBC uses advanced diagnostic tools to ensure proper evaluation of units that are brought in for repair. As a Xicom authorized service center, BBC can provide technical assistance if needed.

BBC was established by Mr. Wilton Fleming and Mr. Helcio Aranha in 1994.

Mr. Wilton Fleming studied at the prestigious Space Research Institute in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil where he received degrees in Electronic Technician (1972), Electronic Engineering (1977), and Master of Science in Microwaves and Telecommunications (1982). For 11 years, Mr. Fleming worked as a Microwave Designer and Researcher of satellite circuits at the Space Research Institute.

In 1982, Mr. Fleming joined TECNASA Professional Electronics as the Chief Microwave Engineer of the Radar and Microwave division where his work included the design and manufacture of Thomson Secondary radar RS870 that is used in the Brazilian flight surveillance system, the development of the S-Band meteorological radar, the development of the Brazilian fighter AMX airborne radar receiver antenna and transmitter, and the leader of the technical agreement with SMA in Italy for the system radar construction.

Mr. Fleming authored the premier reference text used in Brazilian universities entitled, Antennas and High Frequency Circuits Design Aided by Computer, which was published in 1987 by McGraw-Hill Brazil. Mr. Fleming received the Ten Years Medal for Relevant Works from the Space Research Institute and another Ten Years Medal for Relevant Works from TECNASA. Mr. Fleming is cofounder of Boreal-Beta Communications (BBC), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

Mr. Helcio Aranha received degrees in Electronic Technician (1975) and Electronic Engineering (1980) at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. For seven years, Mr. Aranha worked as a Microwave and Antenna Designer and Researcher of satellite circuits at the Space Research Institute.

In 1982, Mr. Aranha joined Avibras Aerospace as Chief Engineer of the Microwave and Antenna division where his work included the development of radar and radar cross section technology for ballistics rocket devices, circuits and systems, the development of the Radar Astros Multiple Rocket System in conjunction with Contraves AG in Switzerland, and the development of the ten meters cassegrain antennas for telecommunications system with Brasilsat Satellite.

Mr. Aranha joined Amplimatic Telecom as Chief Engineer where he developed a variety of antennas and RF and microwave devices. Then, Mr. Aranha joined TECSAT where he designed a low noise blockconverter and worked on microwave design, instrumentation, and surface mount devices (SMD)technology.

Mr. Aranha received the Five Years Medal for Relevant Works from Avibras Aerospace. In addition, Mr. Aranha is a founding member of The Brazilian Microwave and Optic-Electronics Society, a member of the Brazilian Engineer Television Society, and a member of the Society of Cable Television Engineers (USA). Mr. Aranha is co-founder of Boreal-Beta Communications (BBC), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

Xicom Technology is the leader in SATCOM amplifier technology. Xicom develops and manufactures a full line of TWT and Klystron Power Amplifiers for the worldwide satellite uplink community, offering C-, X-, Ku-, DBS-, Ka-, and Tri-Band product coverage. Amplifiers are available for both fixed and mobile markets in rack-mount and antenna-mount packages.