Eutelsat Communications
has launched its two high-power HOTBIRD 13F and HOTBIRD 13G satellites into
full commercial service. Located at Eutelsat’s 13° East flagship video
neighbourhood, the satellites are reinforcing and enhancing the broadcast
quality of around nine hundred television channels into more than 160 million
homes across Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. These new
state-of-the-art satellites according to a statement released on Thursday are
also bringing advanced features to 13° East, including in-orbit redundancy
ability and uplink signal protection and resilience.
The statement
explained that the HOTBIRD video
neighbourhood is host to 7 premium TV platforms, over 600 pay-TV channels, 300
free-to-air channels, and 500 HDTV and UHD channels, adding that with its
unique pan-European coverage, in Europe alone HOTBIRD reaches 130 million
homes.
“The satellites also distribute TV channels to 90% of cable and IPTV
operators in the Europe and MENA region, making 13° East the leading DTH,
cable, IP, and DTT provider across the region. With their entry into service,
the HOTBIRD 13F and HOTBIRD 13G satellites are releasing the three satellites
previously located at 13° East, to carry out new missions.”
Built by
manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space, the satellites are based on the new
generation Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite platform, developed under
an ESA partnership project with Airbus designed to foster innovation and
competitiveness in the European space industry.
Particular to
HOTBIRD 13G, the satellite hosts the EGNOS GEO-4 payload, pertaining to the
European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Fully operational since
June, the payload enables the EUSPA to deliver reliable and secure space-based
services and provides additional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS)
service capabilities within and beyond the European Union, supporting a growing
number of users.
Laurence
Delpy, General Manager for the Video Business Unit, commented: “With are delighted that EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F
and HOTBIRD 13G are now in service. 13° East is one of Eutelsat’s
long-standing, leading orbital locations and has been boosting audience growth
for our broadcasters since 1983. Satellite maintains an integral role in the
media supply chain, particularly to support the live transmission of major news
and sporting events. Our clients across Europe and MENA can look forward to an
ever-better service with this pair of powerful new satellites.”
Eva Berneke,
Eutelsat Chief Executive Officer, added: " Operating
high-power orbital resources to bring video services to as many people as
possible is one of the pillars of our business. With the entry into service of
these two new satellites at a historic position for Eutelsat and a flagship
position for Europe, North Africa and the MENA region, we are ensuring
continued operational excellence for our clients. With two EGNOS payloads now
hosted on our in-orbit resources, Eutelsat is also proud to complete the GNSS
network for our European Union long-term customer and partner, the EUSPA, and
to be part and parcel of the EU’s capacity to deliver reliable and secure
space-based services”.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye