The SES WORLD SKIES NSS-12 satellite has entered commercial service at the orbital location of 57°E.

NSS-12 delivers direct-to-home (DTH) power and performance through four regional Ku-band spot beams over the Middle East, Europe, Central and Southern Asia and, for the first time, Eastern Africa.

The Space Systems / Loral-built spacecraft features 40 C-band transponders and 48 Ku-band transponders with DTH power levels, elaborate beam interconnectivity and C/Ku-band cross-strapping.

The high-capacity, high-power C-band beams cover Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

The spacecraft replaces NSS-703 and all traffic on NSS-703 has been transferred to NSS-12.

The system will add to the existing fleet of SES, which aims to increase the in-orbit capacity of its satellites.