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Eutelsat and IctQATAR Sign Strategic Alliance to Develop a New Satellite Programme Expanding Opportunities at Eutelsat's 25.5degrees East Neighbourhood
New Satellite for Launch End 2012 Will Carry Ku-Band and Ka-Band Capacity for Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia
PARIS and DOHA, Qatar, May 10, 2010-- ictQATAR (representing the State of Qatar) and Eutelsat Communications
(Euronext Paris: ETL) announce today the signing of a partnership agreement
to invest in and operate a new high-capacity satellite at Eutelsat's
25.5degrees East location, one of the two longstanding and anchored
neighbourhoods serving fast-growing markets in the Middle East and North
Africa regions.
This historic partnership was signed this morning at the Emiri Diwan in
Doha, in the presence of H.E Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani and Eutelsat Chairman Giuliano
Berretta, by Dr Hessa Al Jaber Secretary General of ictQatar and Michel de
Rosen, Eutelsat CEO.
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(TM) 2 satellite, which is currently operated at 25.5degrees 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.
Michel de Rosen added: "We are honoured to partner with ictQatar and are
convinced that together, we can represent a strong and complementary force
that benefits the expansion and continuing sophistication of digital services
across the footprint of our future new satellite. We look forward to
developing this new relationship with ictQatar, which further anchors on a
long-term basis our commitment to markets in the Middle East and North
Africa."
Eutelsat and ictQatar are scheduled to place the order for the new
satellite by the middle of 2010, with launch in late 2012. This programme is
part of the capex plan communicated by Eutelsat Communications for the period
2009-2012.
About ictQATAR
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology
(ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives, drive
economic development and inspire confidence in the future. ictQATAR is
entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's independent and fair
regulator of the telecommunications market, and as the government body that
nurtures innovative technologies to benefit those who live and work in Qatar.
http://www.ictQATAR.qa
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26
satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well
as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the
Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in
terms of revenues. At 31 December 2009, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 3,400 television channels and close to 1,100 radio
stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video
neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 million cable and
satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's
satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications
services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets
for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight
markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates
services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local
communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa,
Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries
employ 635 employees from 27 countries.
http://www.eutelsat.com
Contact:
Howaida Nadim
Communications Director
Tel.:+974-4995323
Fax: F +974-4995352
M +974-5873227
hnadim@ict.gov.qa
Eutelsat Press Contacts
Vanessa O'Connor
Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frederique Gautier
Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
fgautier@eutelsat.fr
Investor Relations Contact
Lisa Sanders Finas
Tel.: +33(0)1-5398-3092
investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Source: Eutelsat Communications
Howaida Nadim, Communications Director, Tel.:+974-4995323, Fax: F +974-4995352, M +974-5873227, hnadim@ict.gov.qa; Eutelsat Press Contacts, Vanessa O'Connor, Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791, voconnor@eutelsat.fr, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investor Relations Contact, Lisa Sanders Finas, Tel.: +33(0)1-5398-3092, investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Eutelsat and IctQATAR Sign Strategic Alliance to Develop a New Satellite Programme Expanding Opportunities at Eutelsat's 25.5degrees East Neighbourhood
New Satellite for Launch End 2012 Will Carry Ku-Band and Ka-Band Capacity for Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia
PARIS and DOHA, Qatar, May 10, 2010-- ictQATAR (representing the State of Qatar) and Eutelsat Communications
(Euronext Paris: ETL) announce today the signing of a partnership agreement
to invest in and operate a new high-capacity satellite at Eutelsat's
25.5degrees East location, one of the two longstanding and anchored
neighbourhoods serving fast-growing markets in the Middle East and North
Africa regions.
This historic partnership was signed this morning at the Emiri Diwan in
Doha, in the presence of H.E Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani and Eutelsat Chairman Giuliano
Berretta, by Dr Hessa Al Jaber Secretary General of ictQatar and Michel de
Rosen, Eutelsat CEO.
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(TM) 2 satellite, which is currently operated at 25.5degrees 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.
Michel de Rosen added: "We are honoured to partner with ictQatar and are
convinced that together, we can represent a strong and complementary force
that benefits the expansion and continuing sophistication of digital services
across the footprint of our future new satellite. We look forward to
developing this new relationship with ictQatar, which further anchors on a
long-term basis our commitment to markets in the Middle East and North
Africa."
Eutelsat and ictQatar are scheduled to place the order for the new
satellite by the middle of 2010, with launch in late 2012. This programme is
part of the capex plan communicated by Eutelsat Communications for the period
2009-2012.
About ictQATAR
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology
(ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives, drive
economic development and inspire confidence in the future. ictQATAR is
entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's independent and fair
regulator of the telecommunications market, and as the government body that
nurtures innovative technologies to benefit those who live and work in Qatar.
http://www.ictQATAR.qa
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26
satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well
as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the
Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in
terms of revenues. At 31 December 2009, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 3,400 television channels and close to 1,100 radio
stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video
neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 million cable and
satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's
satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications
services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets
for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight
markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates
services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local
communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa,
Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries
employ 635 employees from 27 countries.
http://www.eutelsat.com
Contact:
Howaida Nadim
Communications Director
Tel.:+974-4995323
Fax: F +974-4995352
M +974-5873227
hnadim@ict.gov.qa
Eutelsat Press Contacts
Vanessa O'Connor
Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frederique Gautier
Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
fgautier@eutelsat.fr
Investor Relations Contact
Lisa Sanders Finas
Tel.: +33(0)1-5398-3092
investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Source: Eutelsat Communications
Howaida Nadim, Communications Director, Tel.:+974-4995323, Fax: F +974-4995352, M +974-5873227, hnadim@ict.gov.qa; Eutelsat Press Contacts, Vanessa O'Connor, Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791, voconnor@eutelsat.fr, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investor Relations Contact, Lisa Sanders Finas, Tel.: +33(0)1-5398-3092, investors@eutelsat-communications.com