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The EUTELSAT 9B satellite has been fully powered up and is now providing TV services to homes across Europe. The satellite has replaced EUTELSAT 9A to broadcast more than 350 channels, of which, 100 are in HD. The channels are being broadcast to cable, DTH and DTT homes.
The new satellite serves a portfolio of clients that include M7 for the KabelKiosk platform as well as OTE’s DTH platform, AFN, Arqiva, Globecast and Media Broadcast.
EUTELSAT 9B is a high-capacity Ku-band satellite for the 9 degrees East position. With its entry into service, Eutelsat capacity at this video neighbourhood has increased to 50 physical transponders (47 equivalent 36Mz transponders). The satellite addresses high-growth broadcast markets through a pan-European footprint delivering wide coverage and four regional footprints serving Germany, Greece, Italy and the Nordics with the Baltics and Ukraine.
EUTELSAT 9B also marks an industry first as the host satellite for the inaugural data relay payload for the European Data Relay System (EDRS) being implemented through a public private partnership between ESA and Airbus Defence and Space.
Having completed its mission at 9 degrees East, EUTELSAT 9A will continue in full commercial service at an alternative orbital position.
