C-Band pan-African satellite prepared for launch

Details: James Barton; Category: Satellite Networks; 25 July 2011; 12141 views

Preparations for the upcoming launch of the Arabsat 5C satellite have been finalised by Central European Telecom Services (CETel Group)...

Preparations for the upcoming launch of the Arabsat 5C satellite have been finalised by Central European Telecom Services (CETel Group).

The satellite will feature a specially leveled Vertex 9.3 metre antenna, allowing it to provide pan-African coverage in standard and extended C-Band.

With highly secured and fully redundant Teleport facilities, CETel will also be able to offer Up-/Downlink services as well as Broadband Internet access and further fibre optic connections via the new satellite.

“The increased availability of C Band bandwidth on Arabsat 5C complements and broadens our existing services on the Arabsat fleet”, states Guido Neumann, Director of CETel Group, and further “therewith we are fully prepared to respond to the increasing demand for our services.”

“Utilisation of extended C Band services with its even more attractive and competitive pricing will present new opportunities for our customers”, Neumann added.

CETel Group predicts fierce competition in the run for space segment on Arabsat’s 5C bandwidth and therefore offers its customers pre-launch conditions for a limited time. The Arabsat 5C launch is scheduled for August 2011. The satellite will have available 4 x 72 MHz plus 16 x 36 MHz standard C Band and 4 x 72 MHz extended C Band transponders. With its orbit position of 20° East its footprint will cover the complete African continent as well as part of the Middle East.