[Satellite TODAY 12-18-09] Etisalat UAE signed a multi-year contract with Intelsat for Ku-Band capacity on the Intelsat 15 (IS-15) satellite, the operator announced Dec. 17.
    Etisalat will utilize IS-15 to expand its enterprise network platform beyond the United Arab Emirates and provide higher-bandwidth broadband services to enterprise customers throughout the Gulf region.
    “IS-15 provides us with the Ku-band coverage that will further enhance our already market-leading and reliable network for our enterprise clients in the banking, energy, financial services, hospitality, retail and transport sectors,” Etisalat executive vice president Ali Amiri said in a statement.
    IS-15, launched in November, is expected to begin service in the first quarter of 2010 and replace Intelsat 709.