Eutelsat signs deal to operate Qatar’s first satellite
May 11th, 2010 - 10:44 UTC
by Andy Sennitt.

ictQatar (representing the State of Qatar) and Eutelsat Communication have announced the signing of a partnership agreement to invest in and operate a new high-capacity satellite at Eutelsat’s 25.5° East location, one of the two longstanding and anchored neighbourhoods serving fast-growing markets in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

To be launched at the end of 2012, the new satellite will provide both a significantly expanded mission and superior coverage and power across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia to follow-on from Eutelsat’s Eurobird™ 2 satellite, which is currently operated at 25.5° East. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and additional Ku-band resources for ictQatar, it will initiate a Ka-band capability opening business opportunities for both parties.

This multi-mission architecture will enable both partners to respond to the fastest-growing applications in the Middle East and Africa, including video broadcasting, enterprise communications and government services. The television market will in particular benefit from the installed base of more than 13 million satellite homes already equipped for Direct-to-Home reception from this neighbourhood.

“Qatar is pleased to enter into this strategic partnership with Eutelsat with a satellite resource that we have named “Es’hail”. The agreement is important for us as it will secure our strategic interests in communications capabilities in terms of broadcasting, communications, government services and any other future innovative services that our local market will require”, said Dr Hessa Al Jaber, Secretary-General of ictQatar.

Eutelsat and ictQatar are scheduled to place the order for the new satellite by the middle of 2010, with launch in late 2012.