EUTELSAT 25B satellite final antenna testing. Photo: Space Systems/Loral

[Via Satellite 10-29-13] Eutelsat Communications and Es’hailSat’s jointly-owned Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail 1 satellite, launched on Aug. 29, 2013, went into commercial service this morning at 25.5 degrees east. The satellite operates in both Ku- and Ka-bands and brings increased capacity to the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

Traffic on Eutelsat’s Eutelsat 25C satellite at 25.5 degrees east was transferred onto Ku-band transponders on the new satellite overnight from October 28 to October 29. This transfer has released Eutelsat 25C for a new mission at 33 degrees east. Next month it will be co-positioned with Eutelsat 33A at 33 degrees east to bring additional capacity at said orbital location.