Stratos Announces Expansion

Stratos Global Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Shell Offshore Inc.'s telecommunications subsidiary, Shell Offshore Services Company (SOSCo). The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. "The acquisition of SOSCo is consistent with Stratos' long-term strategy of providing communications solutions to high volume industrial customers operating in remote locations," explains Derek Woods, president and CEO of Stratos. "This acquisition gives us a significant presence in lucrative offshore markets and provides Stratos with closer links to Shell and other major oil and gas companies who are potential users of other Stratos products and services." Based in New Orleans, SOSCo uses a state-of-the-art digital microwave system to provide voice, data and video services, Internet access and network connectivity to more than 250 remote drilling rigs and production platforms located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, the company is a licensed competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) with central switches in New Orleans, Houston and Lafayette providing local and long distance telephone services to its offshore and traditional telecom customers. Once the acquisition has been consummated, SOSCo will offer its services under the Stratos name.