Page 40 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Eutelsat Selected by AfricaXP for DTH Satellite

Services across Sub-Saharan Africa

Channel network and content distributor coverage of Eutelsat’s 7° East hotspot to entertaining viewers in Anglophone West
AfricaXP has signed multi-year agreements roll out a regionally customized offer of Africa for the past year by providing a pay-
with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext 23 channels across Eastern and Southern TV quality experience to the public free-of-
Paris: ETL) for Ku-band capacity on two Africa from mid-February. In addition, charge as an unencrypted satellite service.
Eutelsat satellites, positioned at 16° East AfricaXP will launch an inaugural, 10 Eutelsat’s 7º East and 16° East positions
and 7° East. This capacity will enable channel French language bouquet from offer us comprehensive geographic reach in
AfricaXP to extend the reach of its DTH Eutelsat’s 16° East position with its Africa’s key Western, Eastern and Southern
free-to-air TV platform, Premium.Free. powerful footprint over French-speaking markets where they serve large audiences.
Currently broadcast in West Africa, the African countries. Craig Kelly, AfricaXP’s This has ignited a strong interest from our
platform will leverage the unparalleled CEO, said: “Premium.Free has been advertising partners.” Nicolas Baravalle,
Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa region
at Eutelsat, added: “Eutelsat is delighted
to be supporting AfricaXP in rolling out
this multichannel Free-to-Air model
across Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, this
partnership reinforces the strength and
desirability of these two orbital hotspots
for the Sub-Saharan region, which are
becoming increasingly sought after by
broadcasters.”

EGNOS Payload Enters Service on EUTELSAT 5 West B

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext across Europe, notably Galileo, in the continuity of satellite services are part of
Paris: ETL) announces that the GEO-3 coming years.” Pascal Claudel, GSA Acting our mission as delegated by the European
payload of the European Geostationary Executive Director and Chief Operating Commission. It is essential that we, at the
Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS), a Officer, declared: “With this new payload GSA, ensure these services to support
hosted payload aboard its EUTELSAT 5 in service, EGNOS is moving towards the economic growth and that the European
West B satellite, has successfully entered transition to its new generation. This has Union’s citizens and companies can
into service. EUTELSAT 5 West B is hosting been done thanks to the constructive benefit from the latest GNSS technology.”
the Eutelsat-procured EGNOS payload collaboration with Eutelsat. Delivery and
under a 15-year agreement signed in
2017 with the European Global Navigation
Satellite Systems Agency (GSA). The
contract also includes technical services
and a European ground infrastructure,
including two gateways installed at
Eutelsat’s Rambouillet and Cagliari
teleports. Yohann Leroy, Eutelsat’s Deputy
CEO and Chief Technical Officer, said:
“Eutelsat is proud of the collaboration with
its customer GSA, its partners including
the European Space Agency, and its
suppliers, culminating in the entry into
service of this next generation technology
of EGNOS on EUTELSAT 5 West B. We are
delighted to host this payload, which will
significantly enhance the performance
of global navigation satellite systems

40 FEBRUARY 2020