Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced that Astrium will build the
HOT BIRD 10 broadcast satellite which will be launched in first quarter 2009 and
positioned at the Groups 13 degrees East location. Following HOT BIRD 8 and 9, it is the
third high-power broadcast satellite based on Astriums Eurostar E3000 platform that will be
located at Eutelsats premium video neighbourhood for cable and satellite broadcasting.
The procurement of HOT BIRD 10 underpins Eutelsats objectives to continue to renew
capacity at its HOT BIRD neighbourhood, to raise in-orbit redundancy and security for
broadcasting clients and to increase overall flexibility across its satellite fleet. Eutelsats 13
degrees East neighbourhood today broadcasts 950 television channels and 540 radio
stations to 110 million cable and satellite homes across Europe, North Africa and the Middle
East.
Astriums Eurostar E3000 platform was selected by Eutelsat for the HOT BIRD 8 satellite,
which went into full commercial service this month, and HOT BIRD 9 which was ordered
from Astrium in May this year. With each satellite equipped with 64 high-power Ku-band
transponders spanning the entire range of 102 Ku-band frequencies at 13 degrees East, they
will together deliver customers exceptional levels of security and in-orbit redundancy for the
development of digital entertainment services and HDTV channels.
HOT BIRD 10s deployment in 2009 will also enable Eutelsat to pursue its objective to
develop video activities at other orbital locations. The new satellite will release the Groups
HOT BIRD 7A satellite from 13 degrees East in order for it to be repositioned at the 10
degrees East neighbourhood. The proximity of these two neighbourhoods enables reception
of channels from both positions with a single antenna equipped with a dual feed. This new
video mission will be initiated first by EUROBIRD 10 (formerly HOT BIRD 3) which is
scheduled to enter into service at 10 degrees East later this month, having completed its
mission at 13 degrees East. EUROBIRD 10s replacement by HOT BIRD 7A will further
increase capacity for video services in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa by providing
up to 38 Ku-band transponders at 10 degrees East.
Commenting on the contract, Eutelsat CEO Giuliano Berretta commented: By boosting our
resource at established and growing video neighbourhoods we are in a privileged position to
benefit from the strong dynamic of broadcasting markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle
East. HOT BIRD 10 will further consolidate our premium HOT BIRD position and will
also expand the associated resource we can offer broadcasters from 10 degrees East for
standard digital television, High-Definition Television and new video services using MPEG4
compression. We are also very pleased to renew our confidence with Astrium who has
demonstrated the performance of its technology in our new HOT BIRD 8 satellite.
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of Astrium Satellites business unit said: "We are extremely pleased
that Eutelsat confirms their confidence in our technology by ordering a third Eurostar E3000
to perfect the core of their prime broadcasting neighbourhood. HOT BIRD 10 is a Eurostar
E3000 satellite, identical to HOT BIRD 8 and HOT BIRD 9 with the same mission
capacity. HOT BIRD 10 is also the third satellite ordered by Eutelsat from Astrium this
year, following W2M in February and HOT BIRD 9 in May, and the seventh
communications satellite contract overall won by Astrium in 2006."
HOT BIRD 10 is the 15th satellite commissioned by Eutelsat from Astrium. With the early
implementation of this programme the Group is advancing in-orbit investments to FY2007-
2009 which were originally forecast after FY2010.
