European Satellites Aim to Provide Mobile TV Services

The two European based broadcast satellite operators, SES Global and Eutelsat Communications have announced a joint investment in the first European satellite infrastructure for broadcasting video, radio and data to mobile devices and vehicle receivers.

In view of the innovative nature of this market, SES and Eutelsat have agreed to join forces in a 50/50 joint venture company, which will operate and commercialise the S-band payload on W2A. The company will be set up by SES ASTRA and Eutelsat following approval from relevant regulatory agencies. The S-band space segment represents an investment of approximately 130 million euros.

The S-band (2.0 and 2.2 GHz), which represents a new frequency band for both SES and Eutelsat, provides a set of frequencies optimised for supporting a wireless distribution network for delivering video and other services to mobile devices, including phones, PDAs, laptops and vehicle receivers.

The development of mobile video services through a satellite-based hybrid network will provide content providers and operators with alternative or complementary solutions to terrestrial-based networks and will bring the benefit of universal coverage that satellites can provide.

Eutelsat has commissioned the W2A satellite from Alcatel Alenia Space for launch on Sea Launch in the beginning of 2009.

Giuliano Berretta, Chairman and CEO of Eutelsat Communications, commented: " Digital content and the mobility afforded by new portable devices lie at the heart of the current dynamic in the communications landscape, bringing new revenue streams for electronics manufacturers, content and service providers, as well as new products for consumers. Through a resource, which is optimised in terms of bandwidth and universal coverage, satellite services using S-band frequencies can make a vital contribution to the overall success of the mobile broadcasting market while the design of the S-band payload is also fully suited for two-way communications. By adding this new payload to a platform using our traditional set of Ku-band and C-band frequencies it has also been possible to put in place an efficient and cost-effective solution for entering a new frequency band."

Posted to the site on 31st October 2006