Amos-5 aims to provide coverage over the Middle East and Europe and serve as a prime carrier of African satellite communications traffic in both broadcast and data services. The satellite is equipped with high-power 14×72 megahertz (MHz) and 4×36 MHz C-band transponders, as well as 18×72 MHz Ku-band transponders.

   The satellite is Spacecom’s first not to be built by Israel Aerospace Industries and couldn’t have come at a better time for the operator. In August 2010, Spacecom projected that its Amos-5i communications satellite, which was previously named AsiaSat 2 until Spacecom contracted the satellite for exclusive use in January 2010, would run out of fuel before Amos-5 replaced the ailing spacecraft.

   Spacecom was forced to find alternatives for Amos 5i’s telecommunications customers in Africa, which resulted in a $12 million loss in the 2010-2011 timeframe on accelerated depreciation on the satellite and loss of profits. Amos-5i was moved from the 100.5 degrees East orbital slot to 17 degrees East to provide C-band and Ku-band capacity for a variety of satellite communications services to the African continent. The operator reached a deal with the satellite’s manufacturer ISS Reshetnev in Russia to collect $13.5 million in late delivery fees, which were then deducted from the $200 million that the operator paid for the satellite’s construction.

   Spacecom president and CEO David Pollack said Amos-5 represents a significant step in the company’s future pan-African C-band and Ku-band strategy. “Amos-5’s launch further transforms Spacecom into a leading multi-regional satellite operator and is truly a landmark event for us as we prepare to bring our reliable high-quality services to Africa,” said Pollack. “The satellite will offer excellent coverage and ready capacity to a rapidly growing region. Spacecom is excited and looks forward to providing comprehensive and quality communications solutions to Africa.”

   Spacecom pre-sold more than 55 percent of Amos-5 capacity to a variety of customers prior to launch, including broadcasters, telecom providers, communications companies and government agencies.

   In November, Satellite teleport service provider SatLink Communications launched a new African Multi-Channel-Per-Carrier (MCPC) platform on Amos-5. SatLink will use Amos-5’s Pan-African C-beam to provide the platform to international and local African broadcasters. The platform will have a Tier 1 broadcast neighborhood including leading European, American and Asian channels.

   “The market for Ku-band is growing in Africa because technology has greatly negated rain interference challenges and has also brought down customers’ initial setup costs,” Spacecom Senior Vice President of Sales Eyal Copitt said in a statement.

   Amos-4 is scheduled to commence operations at the end of 2012. The satellite will be located at the 65-degree West orbital position to extend Spacecom’s coverage reach to Russia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Spacecom plans to launch Amos-6 operations in 2014 to deliver capabilities and capacity to the CEE, CIS and Middle East regions, as well as Western Europe.