Eutelsat‘s broadband affiliate, Skylogic, has signed a breakthrough deal with leading Chinese telco, Chinasatcom, to improve communications between China and Italy. The deal will see Chinasatcom and Skylogic create a two-way broadband network to connect businesses, trade and government agencies between China and Italy. More than one thousand Italian businesses with offices, joint ventures and production units in China, as well as Chinese companies operating in Europe, will benefit from this new satellite partnership.

Zhang Hainan, president of Chinasatcom, and Giuliano Berretta, chairman and managing director of Eutelsat Italia signed the contract in Beijing, in the presence of Antonio Marzano, Italian Minister for trade and industry, and Jiang Yao Ping, Deputy Minister of information and industry.

The agreement will be implemented immediately once the deal has gained approval from the Chinese and Italian authorities. Chinasatcom is one of six basic telecoms operators in China.