Hotbird 4 to move to 7W, renamed Nilesat 103

Analoguesat

NILESAT TO EXPAND RESOURCE AT 7 DEGREES WEST THROUGH CONTRACT WITH EUTELSAT FOR CAPACITY ON HOT BIRD™ 4 SATELLITE

Cairo / Paris, 5 September 2005
Nilesat and Eutelsat today announced the signature of a contract by the Egyptian operator to lease capacity on Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 4 satellite once it is relocated to 7 degrees West. The satellite is scheduled to be repositioned to this location in second quarter 2006 after the launch and entry into service of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 7A and 8 satellites.

This agreement supports Nilesat’s objective to accelerate its development in the broadcasting market in the Middle East and the Gulf States. It positions Nilesat to benefit from capacity on HOT BIRD™ 4 that Eutelsat has decided to redeploy to the 7 degrees West neighbourhood already used by Nilesat to offer digital entertainment services through its Nilesat 101 and 102 satellites that already operate from 7 degrees West. Nilesat’s two satellites today broadcast more than 280 television channels and 95 radio stations to an audience of about 15 million satellite and cable homes. The new capacity leased by Nilesat will be commercialised under the name Nilesat 103 from its scheduled availability in second quarter 2006.

For Eutelsat, the redeployment of its HOT BIRD™ 4 satellite underscores its own objective to continue to expand its in-orbit resource for the Middle East and Gulf states where broadcasting markets are rapidly evolving. The relocation to the 7 degrees West neighbourhood will also open opportunities through ATLANTIC BIRD
2 which already provides coverage of these regions from the nearby position of 8 degrees West. “This agreement with Eutelsat marks an important development in the growth of broadcast services provided by Nilesat from 7 degrees West. It brings us new capacity to add to the resource on our own satellites according to a timetable that is well aligned to our expansion programme”, said Amin Bassyouni, CEO of Nilesat. “The arrival of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 4 satellite at this neighbourhood presents us with an excellent opportunity for growth in a dynamic broadcasting market in a way that is both cost-effective and efficient and it is a good opportunity to assure the spirit of cooperation.”

For Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat CEO, “One of Eutelsat’s longstanding strategic objectives is to support the development of key video neighbourhoods for the Middle East and the Gulf states. We are delighted that HOT BIRD™ 4 redeployed to 7 degrees West can provide the right fit to the frequencies used by Nilesat 101 and 102 and that this will enable Nilesat to grow its offer to TV viewers in the region. This first agreement marks a key stage in developing strong and lasting relationships between our two companies which will benefit the broadcasting market throughout the region.”

dardachat5

hi
this should increase nilesat capacity before the end of its lifetime which is coming closer.

Topper

Yes don't remind us we're all getting there. There's nothing like stating the obvious

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Formerly toppervte33h
whose six pack has turned into a keg

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hamham

Nilesat 101 was manufactured by the European company Matra Marconi Space (Astrium), and it was launched on 28th of April 1998 by the European Launcher , Ariane space using the launcher Ariane 4, from the French Guyana ( Kourou site ).

EgyptDUDE

yes , but there were lotsa troubles with the satellite lately

one question , why nile sat company take a used satellite ? instead of getting a new one ! how long the hotbird 4 have left before it bites the dust too ?

Analoguesat

Simple - the capacity is available very soon. It takes anything up to 3 years to have a satellite in orbit from the date of order. No good if you want the capacity in 6 months time!

Also its MUCH cheaper leasing an existing satellite than to finance a new one.

Hottie 4 has agood few years left yet. Launched Feb 1998 with a 12-15 years lifespan.

william

Lifespan of some satellites will be extended even futher with the use of space tugs due go into service within the next 2 years, Telecom 2A is an old satellite but the some of the transponders are still working fine its just the fuel that has almost run out, so Hotbird 4 may continue for another 10 to 12 years with add on space tug.

satil

two satellites filled with rubbish channels.
The third will be filled with more of the same.
Arabic tv stations are the worst ever seen - low uality of anything - you name it. Did i mention they have never heard of free journalism ?
Enjoy them and maybe extend your viewing also toa rabsat selection...

EgyptDUDE

was UK tele have been always in HD tv and great audio and vedio quality ?

rubish ? i dont think so , just coz u dont like (or get it ) it doesnt mean its nonsense
i dont like indian channels , but i dont call them rubish

and by the way , the success of Nilesat in the Middle East is amazing, thats why they r buying the third sat.

and what does "free journalisim " have to do with anything here ?!!! talking about satellites here !!!

Lancelot

Gentlemen - if this thread turns into a mud throwing match it will be closed.



L.

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Analoguesat

Well said my fellow moderator.

Folks this thread is for the discussion of the forthcoming move of Hotbird 4 to become Nilesat 103 at 7W ONLY.

It is not for slagging off tv services and programming content.

Please try to keep it on topic.

boot_sectorz

I'm actually thinking they should have a thread made for that. I don't think it is hard to create one.
Anyway, any info about the coverage of the soon to be X-Hot 4? Would be interested to know before it starts its work. I'm intersted in the sports channels that the ones that are there right now offer. I hope it wont be another Egypt interest Sat.

Analoguesat

Seeing how radically the Hotbird 5 footprint changed when it became Arabsat 2D, its unlikely to be good news for north western Europe.......