Luxembourg-based SES Global [Luxembourg: SESG] has formed a new unit called Worldsat, which will operate as a unit of its U.S. subsidiary SES Americom. In addition, SES has signed a long-term agreement to provide satellite services to Connexion by Boeing on Worldsat-3, a satellite that will feature a customized Ku-band payload designed to address the requirements of broadband communications for the transpacific traveler. Boeing [NYSE: BA] will use the Worldsat-3 capacity to fulfill an agreement signed with ANA (All Nippon Airways) to install the Connexion by Boeing Internet service on the Japanese air carrier’s long-haul fleet of aircraft.

The Worldsat-3 satellite is being manufactured by Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Paris-based Alcatel [NYSE: ALA], and will be launched by the end of 2005. Operating from 172 degrees East Longitude, the satellite will offer services to Japanese clients and others in the Pacific Ocean and Asian regions. Based on a Spacebus 4100 platform, Worldsat-3 will feature an 18 transponder C-band payload and a 20 channel Ku-band payload covering all major airline corridors over the Pacific. The newly formed Worldsat unit has satellites currently operating at 108.2 degrees East (Worldsat-1, formerly AAP-1), 172 degrees East (Spacenet-4), 174.3 degrees West (TDRS-5), 47 degrees West (TDRS-6), and 37.5 degrees West (Satcom-C1).