Broadbandindia Magazine

Intelsat, provider of fixed satellite services plans to launch 11 satellites between now and end of 2012, 5 out of which will provide new or replacement capacity in the Asia Pacific region.

The Asia Pacific build includes acceleration of replacement satellites for two core roles and one new satellite that increases capacity for media and networking customers and address defence-related opportunities in the region.

Intelsat 17 satellite will provide higherperforming capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia, as well as expand Intelsat’s C-band video distribution community in the Indian Ocean region. It will replace the Intelsat 702 satellite.

The Intelsat 18 satellite will provide continuity and enhanced performance in C- and Ku-band for network, voice and video services to the Pacific Islands and offer connectivity to the Western United States. It will replace the Intelsat 701 satellite.

The Intelsat 19 satellite will feature increased Ku-band capacity optimized for Direct-to-Home (DTH) and network services applications in Australia.

The Intelsat 20 satellite will replace the Intelsat 10 and Intelsat 7 satellites. This satellite will provide regional and international programmers with ideal C-band penetration of the South Asian cable communities. The Intelsat 20 satellite also will carry a Ku-band payload, which will provide services into Asia, Africa and the Middle East for enterprise networks and DTH services.

Intelsat intends to increase its C- and Ku-band capacity in the region with the launch of the Intelsat 22 satellite, addressing the growing opportunities for enterprise networks, mobility and defence-related applications. In April, Intelsat announced that the Australian Defence Force agreed to purchase a specialized UHF communications payload aboard the Intelsat 22 satellite to provide communications for its military.

Intelsat, plans to launch Intelsat 22 Satellite in Q1 2012. The satellite will serve at the 72° East longitude orbital location over the Indian Ocean region. It will supply 48 C Band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz equivalent transponders to network services and media customers in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, thereby providing incremental capacity for commercial and government applications.

Intelsat EVP global sales and marketing Stephen Spengler said, “The 72º East longitude orbital location is ideal for addressing the connectivity between Asia and Africa and for delivering follow on capacity for our network services and government customers operating in these regions.”

In addition to the fleet programme, Intelsat continues to invest in its ground network infrastructure, expanding customer access to Intelsat’s Asia-Pacific assets. Intelsat also expanded its GlobalConnex Network Broadband Managed services, adding hubs at KT Corporation’s teleport facilities in South Korea.

“With globalization of content, the increasing importance of HD programming, further deployment of enterprise and broadband services and mobile applications,  and continuing popularity of DTH television services, Intelsat will have the connectivity and capacity to serve its customers in the region as they distribute their content around the globe,” said Intelsat Asia Pacific regional VP David Ball.