|
Paris, November 30, 2006 – The BADR-4 payload, provided by Alcatel Alenia Space, successfully completed the In-Orbit Acceptance Review (IOAR) and is ready for operational services. BADR-4 is the second of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization's (Arabsat) fourth generation satellites, built by the prime contractor Astrium Satellites. The BADR-4 satellite has been boosted into orbit on Nov. 8th from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan by a Proton/Breeze-M launcher provided by International Launch Service (ILS).
The BADR-4 satellite is now co-located at ARABSAT's 26 degrees East video "hot-spot", together with the rest of its BADR constellation of Direct-To-Home satellites, providing expansion capacity for its core direct TV broadcasting customers, notably for housing the numerous new HD-TV channels targeting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) audience, as well as a significantly larger number of options for optimizing its broadband, telephony and data transmissions service offering. It covers an unrivalled stretched zone encompassing the entire MENA region, plus a large part of Europe.
BADR-4 is fitted with 32 transponders in Ku-band, 12 in Ku-band/FSS for Fixed Satellite Services, and 20 in Ku-band/BSS for Broadcasting Satellite Services with among the highest downlink power levels available over this region. The payload provided by Alcatel Alenia Space has been integrated on an Astrium Satellite Eurostar E2000+ platform.
Since the 1980s, Alcatel Alenia Space has already delivered to Arabsat payloads for two fourth-generation satellite with a third one currently under construction, three first-generation satellites, two second-generation satellites and one third-generation satellite.
About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space sets the global standard for space developments that impact everybody’s future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defense to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space is a joint subsidiary of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%).
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com
About ARABSAT
Arabsat is the leading provider of satellite communications to the Arab Communities in the Middle East. Now ranked as the 9th Satellite Operator globally, and with a 30 years heritage of continuous operations, Arabsat continues to offer its customers multi-mission satellite services, such as television, telephony, Internet and the provision of VSAT and other interactive services that meet both current and emerging demands of Arabsat customers. Arabsat operates a fleet of 5 satellites (3 of which are fully owned) providing capacity to media and entertainment companies, corporate and government entities, and IP and Broadband Internet access organizations. Arabsat’s satellites provide coverage to more than 100 countries of hundreds of millions of homes reaching out from the Middle East and North-Africa, to sub-Saharan Africa and the major parts of Europe. Arabsat connects the world via its global platform partnering with the world’s leaders in satellite communications, reaching its customers to their final destinations, any time and anywhere. Arabsat vision is to constantly consolidate its leading regional position as the pioneer of satellite communications in the Arab World and is committed to continuously expanding its services in order to meet the evolving needs of its customers and actively support their development and growth, delivering an unparalleled level of service by maintaining quality products, employing the most skilled individuals, and remaining at the forefront of leading new technologies.
Alcatel Press Contacts
Alcatel Investors Relations
Arabsat Press Contacts
|
Saad TEHAIF / English + Arabic |
Tel :+ 966 / (0)1-482-0000 / ext.: 252 |
saadt@arabsat.com |
|
Emmanuel HEBRARD / Français |
Tel :+ 966 / (0)1-482-0000 / ext.: 274 |
emmanuelh@arabsat.com |
|