[Satellite TODAY 12-28-11] Middle-East communications satellite operator Arabsat has transferred its telecommunications network services from the Arabsat-2B satellite to its new Arabsat-5C satellite, the company announced Dec. 27.

   Arabsat-5C, which was launched to the 20 degrees East orbital slot in September, carries telecommunications networks for the Arab States and the African continent and private networks operating at Ka-band. The satellite also carries Direct To Home bouquets transmitted in C-band to the African continent.

   The New Arabsat-5C satellite is considered the third in Arabsat’s fifth-generation satellites series, which were launched during the last two years to support Arabsat in the satellite telecommunications market. Arabsat fourth- and fifth-generation satellites began launching in 2006.

   Arabsat said it is going forward with plans to manufacture and launch its sixth generation satellites during the next few years.