Japanese satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT has entered into a deal with Arianespace to launch its JCSAT-17 telecommunications satellite.

Under the deal, Arianespace will use its Ariane 5 rocket to launch the satellite from Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, by 2019.

Once launched, the Lockheed Martin satellite will provide communication services to eastern Asia, including Japan.

"This choice once again reflects the exceptional partnership of more than 25 years between Arianespace and the largest commercial satellite operator in Asia.”

Arianespace chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: “This choice once again reflects the exceptional partnership of more than 25 years between Arianespace and the largest commercial satellite operator in Asia.”

With a fleet of 17 satellites, SKY Perfect JSAT currently provides multi-channel pay TV broadcasting and satellite communications services across Japan, Russia, Middle East, North America and Asia.

Arianespace also said that it would launch its Intelsat 39 satellite for Intelsat aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Scheduled to launch by late 2018, Intelsat 39 will replace the current Intelsat 902 satellite, which was launched in 2001.

Equipped with both C-band and Ku-band transponders, the satellite will deliver broadband networking and video distribution services in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as broadband connectivity for mobile users in the Indian Ocean region.

Intelsat 39 has also been selected by the government of Myanmar to support the launch of cellular networks in rural areas of the country.