Signed for 10 years, the contract was announced at IBC Amsterdam by both companies. Eurobird9 is a 20-transponder high-power Ku-band satellite optimized for television and radio broadcasting in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The satellite’s recent entry into service at Eutelsat’s new 9 degrees East position, adjacent to the Hot Bird neighborhood, underlines Eutelsat’s objective to develop multi-satellite reception in Europe in order to accompany the growing number of channels and the arrival of HDTV. Satellite homes equipped for DTH reception from the Hot Bird position can easily add channels broadcast by Eurobird9 by fitting a second LNB beside the LNB pointed to the Hot Bird satellites.
Commenting on the contract, Helmut Egenbauer, CEO of Media&Broadcast said: Our new agreement with Eutelsat secures us with capacity at a new satellite neighborhood over Europe which is ideally positioned for our clients for broadcasting Standard Digital and HDTV channels. We also plan to use this capacity for radio and data applications.
Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat CEO, said: We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with T-Systems, a longstanding partner, and that Eurobird9 is the chosen satellite for this new digital multiplex.
T-System’s choice underscores Eutelsat’s ability to present competitive and innovative capacity solutions for video and data broadcasting with similar coverage to our premium Hot Bird neighborhood and access to its audience of 48 million satellite homes across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
