Eutelsat Communications confirmed the order of a new multi-mission
high-capacity satellite on Tuesday designed to serve dynamically
expanding video and broadband markets in Brazil and across Latin
America.
Eutelsat
has selected U.S.-based Space Systems/Loral to manufacture the Eutelsat 65 West A satellite that will be launched
and operational in early 2016. It will be located at 65 degrees
west longitude on the Earth's equator, where Eutelsat's subsidiary, Eutelsat do Brasil Ltda.
was granted frequencies in C, Ku and Ka-bands by Aantel, the
Brazilian telecommunications regulatory authority, in June.
The
new satellite will combine the benefits of C and Ku-bands for video distribution and Direct-to-Home
broadcasting, with broadband
access in the Ka-band. This tri-band configuration will equip
Eutelsat to target markets with the highest growth potential across
Latin America, in particular Brazil as it upgrades its digital
infrastructure and prepares to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
Eutelsat
65 West A will deliver service for 15 years or more, the company said
in press release.
Eutelsat's
use of 65 degrees west, already a well-anchored neighborhood for
video services, will transform the company's commercial presence in
the Latin American region which is undergoing dynamic economic
growth, generating high demand for digital infrastructure with
ubiquitous coverage. Satellites are well-positioned to benefit from
this trend, with forecasts of above 7 percent average annual growth
in transponder demand over the 2011-2016 period.
Eutelsat
has been operational in Brazil since 2000 through its Eutelsat do
Brasil subsidiary located in Rio de Janeiro that markets capacity
through a first generation of satellites providing connectivity
between South America, Europe and Africa. These resources will be
boosted in 2014 by EUTELSAT 3B and in 2015 by EUTELSAT 8 West B that
will both deliver Latin American coverage.
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