EUTELSAT Awards e-BIRD Contract to Boeing Satellite Systems; Fast-Track Delivery of New Satellite Capacity Optimized for broadband Access
EUTELSAT today signed a contract at its
Paris headquarters with Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS) for fast delivery
of e-BIRD(TM), a new satellite optimized for IP access networks with satellite
return link capabilities.
Due for launch in the second quarter of 2002, e-BIRD(TM) will be
positioned in geostationary orbit at 25.5 degrees East and will provide
20 active Ku-band transponders connected to four spot beams over the European
region.
Breaking with traditional design, the satellite’s payload has been
designed to accommodate the essentially asymmetric nature of Internet access.
The satellite will have a contracted service life of 10 years and is a
spin-stabilized Boeing 376 HP.
“The rapid procurement of e-BIRD(TM) supports EUTELSAT’s strategy to be an
active player in fully interactive satellite networks where we believe there
are tremendous opportunities for growth,” said EUTELSAT Director General
Giuliano Berretta.
“We are very pleased to have concluded our first contract
with Boeing Satellite Systems and to be breaking new ground with a skillfully
designed satellite that is optimized for broadband access.”
“We are extremely proud that EUTELSAT has selected BSS to deliver
e-BIRD(TM),” said Tig H. Krekel, President of Boeing Satellite Systems.
“This is a tremendous market breakthrough for us and an endorsement of our
ability to deliver reliable, world-class technology on a demanding schedule.
Clearly our commercial business is moving full speed ahead in 2001 following a
very solid year 2000 for BSS.”
With the signature of the e-BIRD(TM) contract EUTELSAT is securing
capacity on seven new satellites, of which the first, EUROBIRD(TM), is due for
launch by Arianespace on an Ariane 5 rocket on March 8.
Also programmed for
launch this year are ATLANTIC BIRDs(TM) 1 and 2 that will enable EUTELSAT to
provide a satellite infrastructure that connects North and South America with
Europe and Africa.
About EUTELSAT
As one of the world’s leading satellite operators, Paris-based EUTELSAT
enables TV and radio broadcasters, Internet service providers,
telecommunications companies and corporations to transmit and receive content
throughout Europe and Africa, large parts of Asia and the Americas.
EUTELSAT
was the first operator in Europe to deliver Digital Video Broadcasting
(DVB) consumer television and today broadcasts 850 channels to over 84 million
satellite and cable homes, making it one of the largest TV offers to one of
the largest audiences in the world.
Fifty-six percent of EUTELSAT satellite
capacity is used for television broadcasting and just over 40 percent for
services that include high-speed Internet access and Internet backbone
connections.
EUTELSAT turnover for 2000 was 685 million euros, representing a
46 percent increase over 1999.
For more information visit www.eutelsat.com .
About Boeing Satellite Systems Inc.
BSS is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial communications
satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for
national defense, science and environmental applications.
The Boeing Company , headquartered in Seattle, is the largest
aerospace company in the world and the United States’ leading exporter.
It is
the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military
aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor.
The company’s capabilities in
aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles,
rocket engines, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication
systems.
The company has an extensive global reach with customers in
145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States,
Canada and Australia.
