Eutelsat Expands Partnership With RSCC to Serve Broadcasting Markets Across Russia via Three Key Orbital Positions

2 July 2013

Eutelsat Communications announced the extension of agreements with RSCC (the Russian Satellite Communications Company) for capacity on future RSCC satellites designed to serve Russia's vibrant market for digital broadcasting and broadband services.

Building on leases signed in November 2012 for capacity on RSCC satellites to be launched to 140° East in 2013 and 36° East in 2015, Eutelsat has now concluded an additional 15-year lease with RSCC for 19 Ku-band transponders on Express-AT1 which is due for launch at the end of 2013 to 56° East. These three orbital positions will together provide full coverage of the Russian Federation, from the Baltic to the Pacific, enabling RSCC and Eutelsat to expand the digital infrastructure provided to leading broadcast clients that include NTV+ and TricolorTV.

Eutelsat has also completed arrangements with RSCC for capacity on the EUTELSAT 36C/Express-AMU1 satellite to be located at 36° East. Equipped with up to 70 Ku and Ka band transponders, this satellite will provide coverage of the European part of the Russian Federation and ensure service continuity and growth for broadcast markets served by Eutelsat in sub-Saharan Africa: a final 15-year lease for 16 Ku transponders has been concluded with RSCC on EUTELSAT 36C/Express-AMU1. This capacity, together with the 18 Ka-band transponders on EUTELSAT 36C, capacity on Express-AT1 at 56° East and Express-AT2 at 140° East will be commercialised by Eutelsat International Ltd., a new consolidated subsidiary set up as Eutelsat's platform to serve the market for broadcast and broadband services in Russia. Nikolay Orlov, Eutelsat's regional vice-president for Russia and Ukraine, has been appointed CEO of Eutelsat International.

Underscoring the solid dynamic of the market, TricolorTV today confirmed that it has signed a multi-year lease with Eutelsat International for a total of 16 transponders on Express-AT1 at 56° East and Express-AT2 at 140° East to reach homes in the footprint of both satellites in Siberia and the Far East from first quarter 2014. The agreement positions Tricolor to take a significant step forward at 56° East, with a broader package of digital and HD channels and new services, and also to launch a new package of channels at 140° East. TricolorTV is already an anchor tenant at the 36° East position, reaching over 11 million homes in the European part of the Russian Federation.