Astrium Acquires Capacity On Eutelsat's New W2A Satellite

18 June 2009

Astrium and Eutelsat Communications announced the signature of a five-year contract for 36MHz of capacity on the new W2A satellite. Astrium Services will provide coverage for their existing and future customers across Africa.

Eutelsat's new W2A satellite entered commercial service in May 2009 to provide Ku-band capacity across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and central Asia, and C-band capacity extending from South America across Africa and Europe as far as the Indian sub-continent. Astrium Services, through its Toulouse-based subsidiary London Satellite Exchange plans to use its capacity to complement the commercial communication services it currently supplies to Africa.

Use of the new capacity will be coordinated through Astrium Services' teleport in Toulouse. The teleport, which was opened last year, provides customers with an additional means of satellite communication for telephony services, notably VPN (Virtual Private Network) secure networks.

Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services said: "The capacity on Eutelsat's new W2A satellite will enable Astrium Services to provide its customers with even more comprehensive coverage across Africa. This investment underlines Astrium Services' commitment to continue to provide its customers with a one-stop-shop for all their satellite communication needs. Creating reliable and resilient communication networks is essential, as this infrastructure is vital in supporting the African entrepreneurs of the future."

Olivier Milliès-Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director responded "We look forward to expanding our close collaboration with Astrium Services through this new contract for C-band capacity serving Africa and are delighted that the power and coverage provided by W2A fits their exacting requirements".