[Satellite Today 11-07-08] Orbcomm has signed eight new test and evaluation agreements with prospective value-added resellers, distribution partners and potential end-users in connection with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) services, the company announced Nov. 7.
    Included in the group of entities are U.S. government agencies, corporations engaged in providing services to foreign governments and those engaged in commercial transportation and logistics.
    In addition to a recently announced amended agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard, Orbcomm has also executed agreements to provide testing and evaluation of AIS data provided by the company’s space-based network.
    Orbcomm said it expects these agreements to lead to a number of direct and indirect contracts that will become the basis of an initial worldwide distribution network for AIS services.