September 21st, 2009
Eutelsats new W7 satellite is planned for deployment at 36 East in late 2009, where it will replace the SESAT 1 satellite, and significantly boost capacity at a key Eutelsat neighbourhood, for TV broadcasters operating in Russia, the Ukraine and Africa. Currently, there are more than 430 channels already broadcast across those regions.
W7 will be a large, high-power satellite featuring 70 Ku-band transponders connectable to six beams covering Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and central Asia. With its configuration of high-performance fixed and steerable beams, it will significantly enhance coverage and flexibility for growing video markets, particularly in central Asia and Africa.
Co-positioned with Eutelsats W4 satellite, which already serves anchor pay-TV operators in Russia (NTV Plus, Tricolor), the Ukraine (Poverkhnost) and sub-Saharan Africa (MultiChoice Africa, HiTV), W7 will enable Eutelsat to almost double the bandwidth available in these regions. The new satellite will also deliver new resources over South Africa through a high-power fixed beam and over Central Asia through a steerable beam.
