[Satellite TODAY Insider 06-17-11] Intelsat is set to launch $1.3 billion in satellites to provide commercial service across the Asia-Pacific region. The FSS operator announced June 16 that its upcoming four-satellite launch schedule is part of a fleet investment program designed to deploy global mobility beams, a Ku-band broadband services network for maritime, aeronautical connectivity and other mobility services for media programmers and communications providers.
Intelsat Senior Vice President of Global Sales Kurt Riegelman said the investment was driven by a rapidly growing need for vital broadband connectivity to network operators.
“Today’s successful media companies are continually seeking to maximize the audience for their content,” said Riegelman. “Our satellites deliver more eyes to media customers through our successful video neighborhoods serving the Asia-Pacific region. With our global network of over 50 satellites, the IntelsatOne terrestrial infrastructure, and refreshed capacity from our upcoming launches, Intelsat can provide highly efficient distribution into a single region or throughout the globe, supporting customer growth.”
Intelsat 18 will be the first of the four satellites to launch, scheduled for orbit in the second half of 2011 at the 180 degrees East slot to replace Intelsat 701. The satellite aims to provide enhanced DTH coverage and network services capabilities to the Pacific islands via C-band and Ku-band platforms. GlobeCast France SAS recently signed a long-term deal with Intelsat to use capacity on both of Intelsat 18’s Ku-band beams once it launches.
Intelsat 19 and Intelsat 20 will launch in the second quarter of 2012. Intelsat 19 will be placed at the 166 degrees East orbital slot to replace Intelsat 8 and Intelsat 20 will be located at the 68.5 degrees East slot to take over for Intelsat 10 and Intelsat 7.
Intelsat 22, the last of the four satellites, is slated for launch sometime in the first half of 2012 to provide a Ku-band mobility beam, Asian C-band coverage with direct connectivity to Africa and a UHF hosted payload for the Australian Defense Force from a new orbital location at 72 degrees East.
Intelsat also announced several new contracts with new and existing media companies. Network18 Media & Investments will bridge their Intelsat 10 capacity to Intelsat 20 when it launches new SD and HD channels for cable distribution across India. Bharti Teleports also expanded its existing agreement for services on Intelsat 10, eventually bridging to Intelsat 20 as part of a multi-year deal.
To support the fleet build-out, the FSS operator signed a partnership agreement with Encompass Digital Media to expand its managed media services in the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat and Encompass will develop a new IntelsatOne MCPC platform on Intelsat 17, adding to the Intelsat 8 MCPC platform that was implemented late last year.
“The two platforms are highly suitable for new HD and SD channel launches in Asia, offering programmers cost effective DVB-S2 solutions with access to a premier neighborhood of thousands of cable systems, hotels and other distribution sites. Intelsat and Encompass Digital Media have a wide coverage area including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Asia Pacific, as well as the Pacific Islands,” Intelsat said in a company statement.
Related Stories –
Sea Launch Wins Intelsat IS-18 Contract Satellite Today June 6, 2011
[Satellite TODAY 06-06-11] Intelsat has contracted Sea Launch to launch the Intelsat 18 (IS-18) communications satellite in the second half of 2011 on a Zenit-3SLB rocket, Sea Launch announced June 2. IS-18 was built by Orbital Sciences…
Intelsat Maintains Revenue Growth Rate; Uncertain over Impact of New Dawn Delay 
Satellite News May 10, 2011
[Satellite News 05-10-11] FSS operator Intelsat increased its 2011 first quarter revenues 3 percent (or $19 million) year-over-year at $640.2 million compared to $621.1 million in the same period last year, driven by growth in its transponder and…
Hosted Payload Alliance Presents its Case to Senior U.S. Government Officials 
Satellite Today May 2, 2011
[Satellite TODAY Insider 05-02-11] The Hosted Payload Alliance (HPA), formed in March by seven of the satellite industry’s biggest companies to promote potential benefits of hosted government payloads on commercial satellites, hosted a panel of…