Satellite News

Eutelsat Communications has ordered Eutelsat 8 West B from Thales Alenia Space. The high-capacity spacecraft will be launched in 2015 to 8 degrees West, joining satellites already operated at the adjacent 7 degrees West position by Eutelsat and Nilesat. Broadcasting services from both positions are received by satellite TV homes with a single small Direct-to-Home dish.

Astrium has successfully completed the Astra 2F testing in orbit and has handed over the control of the satellite to SES who will now validate the performance of its communications payload before placing it in operational service at its 28.2 degrees East orbital location.

Avanti Communications said that its Ka-band satellite HYLAS 2 is now fully operational with all beams fully functioning and – for the first time – providing coverage of Africa, Caucasia and the Middle East.

Intelsat S.A. announced new agreements with two of Bulgaria’s premier media companies for Intelsat transponder services to enable digital terrestrial television (DTT) and distribution of high-definition programming.

NSR’s second instalment of the Satellite Operator Financial Analysis study finds that the FSS sector remains robust in financial terms, with continued revenue growth in the outlook, while imminent IPOs and further industry consolidation (GE Satellite, KT Satellite) continue to shape the industry.