[Satellite TODAY Insider 03-31-11] Intelsat signed two service contracts for its New Dawn satellite just hours prior to its scheduled launch by Arianespace on an Ariane 5 rocket from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the operator announced.
    SkyeVine, a joint venture company between Ellies Holdings Ltd. and Q-Kon, leased capacity on New Dawn that will be used to deliver broadband Internet services to SkyeVine’s small businesses, domestic and public service customers. SkyeVine also said it would provide ISPs with a complementary product line that combines Q-Kon’s engineering and operations capability with Ellies’ retail and distribution network so that it can expand its reach to all potential users.
    Separately, Intelsat announced it signed a one-year contract to provide 36 MHz of transponder services to the U.S. Department of Defense, with options for four additional one-year contracts. Financial details of the two contracts were not disclosed.
    The Intelsat New Dawn satellite, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., functions as a $250 million joint venture formed in December 2008 between Intelsat and a consortium led by Convergence Partners. The satellite’s 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders are designed to supply communications infrastructure for African customers in developing economies and create a potential backlog of more than $700 million for the operator. The satellite will be stationed at the 32.8 degrees East orbital slot and will be integrated with Intelsat’s global satellite fleet.
    At the time the New Dawn project was initiated, Intelsat CEO David McGlade told Satellite News that the satellite’s unique financing structure made the project a reality. "The way we brought in a local partner like this while using South African banks is an absolute first," he said. "Convergence Partners is a good partner and we have been talking to them and planning this deal for two years. They have a lot of connections in the marketplace. I think it’s always a good thing to support the local economy. With demand increasing and a constraint in supply, Intelsat New Dawn was the right thing to do."

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