Australia and New Zealand to get a new satellite

 

21 March 2011

 

Optus announced a giant leap in its satellite business, confirming a brand new satellite, Optus 10, will be deployed for Australia and New Zealand (NZ) - expanding the fleet to become the largest in the company’s and Australia’s history.

 

Vicki Brady, Managing Director Optus Wholesale and Satellite said, “Satellite continues to make sense for Australia and Optus are honoured to continue to fly the country’s largest satellite fleet providing this unique capability to our customers.

 

“Optus is proud to be the only full service telecommunications provider in Australia who has the ability to harness the additional capability that satellite communication offers. We launched the first of Australia’s satellite fleet 25 years ago and the Optus 10 satellite deal reinforces Optus’ scale and leadership position in the Trans-Tasman satellite industry.

“Optus 10 will provide more capacity to the Optus satellite fleet as well as enhancing the resilience of the fleet for the benefit of the entire Trans-Tasman market.

 

“Optus 10 will deliver customers the flexibility to provide high quality broadcast services to households, and twoway voice and data communication services to areas in and around Australia and NZ well into the future. This is vital infrastructure particularly for those areas without access to terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure.

 

“Today’s announcement demonstrates Optus’ commitment to our customers and to keeping Australia and NZ at the forefront of satellite technology. We continue to invest in our fleet and bring the latest communication technology into homes and businesses around the country, especially in regional and remote areas,” Ms Brady said.

 

Optus 10 is scheduled to be delivered in 2013 and will be built in Palo Alto, California by Space Systems/Loral. This follows the expansion of Australia’s satellite fleet with the state-of-the-art D-Series satellites launched in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

 

Space Systems/Loral are a leading provider of commercial satellites, who work closely with a broad range of international satellite operators and service providers to deliver spacecraft for direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, digital multimedia broadcasting and other services.

John Celli, President of Space Systems/Loral said, “We are delighted to be chosen by Optus to build its newest satellite — Optus 10.

 

“As leaders in our industries, both Optus and Space Systems/Loral share a commitment to quality and innovation. We look forward to working closely with the Optus satellite team to provide a spacecraft that will augment the Optus fleet for many years to come.”

 

Optus provides satellite services to Australia and NZ Government departments, premium companies and broadcasters including FOXTEL, ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, Globecast Australia, UBI and Sky TV New Zealand.