Eutelsat

French satellite operator Eutelsat has obtained an order from Thales Alenia Space to build a new high-throughput satellite (HTS), which aims to provide broadband internet in sub-Saharan Africa.

To be built on Thales Alenia’s new Spacebus Neo platform, the all-electric satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2019.

Thales Alenia Space president and CEO Jean Loic Galle said: "Spacebus Neo combines proven heritage with innovation to offer a fully modular platform with a smart Ka-HTS payload for unrivalled flexibility and maximum throughput."

Eutelsat’s latest order for the satellite follows its recent agreement with Facebook to lease the Ka-band capacity on the AMOS-6 satellite to deliver broadband services in Sub-Saharan Africa from next year.

"Spacebus Neo combines proven heritage with innovation to offer a fully modular platform with a smart Ka-HTS payload for unrivalled flexibility and maximum throughput."

Earlier this month, Facebook and Eutelsat signed a multi-year agreement with Spacecom to utilise the entire broadband payload on the future AMOS-6 satellite, which will build a dedicated system comprising satellite capacity, gateways and terminals for Africa.

Eutelsat chairman and CEO Michel de Rosensaid: "With the Spacebus Neo platform proposed by Thales Alenia Space, we can push back new boundaries in high-throughput satellites, in order to deliver quality and affordable broadband services in the many countries in Africa where the drive to increase internet penetration is a key priority."

With the satellite, the company expects to broaden its presence in Africa and deliver resources for broadband services.

The new satellite will provide 75Gbps of capacity across a network of 65 spotbeams. It will address direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services using dishes from approximately 75cm.

Community networks connected to Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile phone backhauling and rural connectivity will also be supported.

Eutelsat has created a new affiliate in London, UK, to manage the African broadband business, including sales.

Image: Eutelsat obtained an order from Thales Alenia Space for a new high-throughput satellite (HTS), which will provide broadband internet in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo: courtesy of Thales Alenia Space.