The new satellite will be based on SS/L’s 1300-series platform and equipped with two payloads providing service from the 1 degree West orbital slot. The first payload includes 11 active Ku-band transponders that will be used to serve growing broadcasting requirements within Central and Eastern Europe, as well as further Ku-band capability to provide restoration capacity for the rest of TSBc’s Thor fleet.

    The second payload will be fitted with Ka-band spot beams providing coverage over the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea.

Telenor CEO Cato Halsaa said that Telenor would use the Ka-band payload to address a surge in demand for high-bandwidth requirements from the regional Scandinavian maritime industry.

    “The ongoing proliferation of video content both on television and the Internet, assures the role of satellite around the world, and Thor 7 will help us support this growing demand in our regions,” said Halsaa. “We selected SS/L based predominantly upon their most favorable all round design which will deliver optimized European coverage and high-powered capacity. SS/L’s high-power capability and broad experience with Ka-band satellites also was significant in our decision to choose this manufacturer.”

    Thor 7 will be built at SS/L’s manufacturing facilities in California on a 28-month production schedule. TSBc is currently in negotiations with its preferred satellite launch provider and will announce its launch contract at the end of June 2011.

   Financial details of the manufacturing contract were not disclosed.

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