24 June 2015
• Satellite operator's MENA investments top US $1 billion to future-proof broadcast infrastructure in the region

• New satellite to launch on 18 August 2015 will provide essential capacity for High Definition television and sets the stage for Ultra HD

• Further strengthens the MENA regional 'hotspot' at 7/8° West

Dubai - Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world's leading operators of commercial satellites for broadcast and telecommunications services, is set to launch its latest satellite which will provide the capacity required to accelerate the deployment ofhigher definition television services to the Middle East and North Africa region.

The EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite will be located at 7/8° Westand further strengthensthis position as the hotspot for television broadcasts to homes across the region stretching from Morocco to the Gulf.

Ali Korur, CEO of Eutelsat Middle East, said:  "This satellite will accelerate the transition to HD services and facilitate the rapid deployment of advanced television services such as Ultra High Definition broadcasts.  With the launch of this new satellite Eutelsat is ensuring that the bandwidth is available for broadcasters to deliver High Definition today and the immersive viewing experience of Ultra HD in the future."

"The satellite will be co-located with Nilesatat the regional hotspot at 7/8° West which means that television viewers across the region can access easily the widest choice of viewing options, using one single dish."

By maximizing the number of television channels available to be carried on a satellite, digital broadcasting has significantly reduced the cost of broadcasting, while increasing the image quality. Thishas spurred the explosion in the number of television channels available across the region.  Currently more than 1,000 channels are broadcast from 7/8° West to more than 250 million viewers across the MENA region.

Ali Korur commented:  "High Definition broadcasts are the new normal and in two years we expect to the see the launch of Ultra High Definition - or 4k - television broadcasts which will take the viewing experience to a new dimension."

"Ultra HD requires much more bandwidth and so with the launch ofEUTELSAT 8 West B we are future proofing the broadcast environment to provide that capacity.  Our commitment to invest now will ensure that television viewers get even more choice and better quality broadcasts in the future.  The viewing experience of major sport events,movies and documentary programming, will be unlike anything seen previously."

EUTELSAT 8 West B will be delivered to the Ariane launch site in mid-July for launch on 18 August.  It will go into full commercial service on 1 October following checks to validate its performance in space.  It will carry 30 Ku-band transponderswith capacity for an additional 180 HD channels.




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About Eutelsat
Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 34 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies.

Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location.

Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 32 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com

For more information contact:
Khalil Hussein
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
E:   khalil.hussein@hkstrategies.com
T:   +971.4 33 44 930
M:  +971 50 708 0122
 
Vanessa O'Connor
Eutelsat
E: voconnor@eutelsat.com 
Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91  

Marie-Sophie Ecuer
Eutelsat
E:  mecuer@eutelsat.com +33 1 53 98 32 45
M: +33 6 89 62 17 74

© Press Release 2015