Eutelsat Communications signed a contract with Arianespace for the launch of the W2M satellite in the second quarter of 2008, the companies announced May 18.

W2M is being manufactured by a partnership of EADS Astrium and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The spacecraft will carry 26 Ku-band transponders and is intended to provide additional capacity for Eutelsat. The spacecraft will provide a range of services such as television broadcasting, data networks and broadband and will cover Europe, North Africa and the Middle East from its orbital slot at 10 degrees East.