Equatorial will provide U.S. weather data.

Equatorial Communications, based in Mountain View, Calif., will provide a satellite network to replace telephone circuits for distributing weather charts and maps from the National Weather Service to government users nationwide at a savings that the government estimates at $4 million over the next six years. Equatorial will install its 24-inch-diameter receiving stations at 525 user sites, including the NWS and the departments of defense and energy, and will provide satellite transmission capacity, 24-hour network operation and complete licensing and maintenance systems.