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EUTELSAT AND SES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE INTERSYSTEM COORDINATION FOR THE CREATION OF NEW SATELLITE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Enhances long term competitiveness of satellite transmissions, Ensures continued interference free satellite broadcasting skies over Europe |
| Paris/Betzdorf, June 8, 1999
EUTELSAT and Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) have reached a comprehensive intersystem coordination agreement which will optimize the use of the scarce natural resource of satellite broadcasting frequencies over Europe. The agreement, which was achieved with the active involvement of Deutsche Telekom AG (DT AG), covers the current and planned use of certain orbital positions in the respective Ku frequency bands over Europe. The aim of the intersystem coordination agreement between Europe’s two leading satellite operators is to create new business opportunities for both organizations. The agreement continues to ensure - in the best interest of millions of European satellite users - interference-free satellite broadcasting skies over Europe. It also favours competition in the satellite communications sector and enhances the long-term competitiveness of satellite transmissions over alternative distribution means. According to the intersystem coordination agreement, SES, in addition to the continued provision of services in the BSS band (11.70 to 12.50 GHz) at 28.2 degrees East, will also use frequencies in the FSS band (10.70 to 11.20 GHz) for Direct-to-Home Services. EUTELSAT will use at 28.5 degrees East the frequencies in the FSS band (11.20 to 11.70 GHz and 12.50 to 12.75 GHz), in particular to ensure the continuation of services currently carried on DT AG’s DFS Kopernikus satellite at that orbital location. SES will use frequencies from 12.50 to 12.75 GHz at 28.2 degrees East for operations outside of Europe. The Agreement also extends to mutually interference-free operations within the arc 16 degrees East to 21.5 degrees East for both operators. EUTELSAT Director General Giuliano Berretta said of the agreement: “I am more than pleased that Europe’s two leading satellite operators have reached such a constructive and balanced solution for a co-ordinated frequency use. With market interests uppermost in their minds EUTELSAT and SES have brokered an historic agreement which will benefit the European satellite market as a whole. EUTELSAT can now proceed with the opening up of a key orbital position in the arc 12.5 degrees West to 48 degrees East and will position a new 24-transponder satellite, that is already under construction, at 28.5 degrees East by the end of next year. This is yet another step in our expansion strategy, both in terms of market focus and service offering.” Comments Romain Bausch, Director General of SES: “SES welcomes the conclusion of this agreement which lays the foundations for a strengthening of the European satellite broadcasting sector in an increasingly competitive global business environment. SES can now start planning for a third co-positioned spacecraft at 28.2 degrees East in order to provide its clients with additional capacity for expansion at SES’ second orbital slot. The agreement is a cornerstone in the consolidation and expansion of SES’ core business in Europe, at a time when the Company is actively pursuing an ambitious strategy of geographical expansion and service diversification.” For further information please contact:
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