Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, has announced new contracts with customers utilizing Intelsat's premier African video distribution satellite neighborhoods and broadband capacity.

"Intelsat's rich history of providing reliable and robust critical communications infrastructure to Africa, which spans more than 40 years, has resulted in many firsts on the continent.

From introducing direct-to-home (DTH) platforms, to supporting reliable broadband in remote regions, Intelsat's satellite network has been a springboard for technology advancement in Africa, supporting the continent's socioeconomic development," said Intelsat's SVP of Global Sales, Kurt Riegelman.

"As we prepare to launch three satellites in 2012 that will provide incremental capacity to the region, we look forward to supporting the continued growth of our customers."

Leading Programmers Join Video Neighborhoods
In Africa, Multichoice Africa Limited, the region's premier pay-TV platform operator and programming distributor, expanded its commitment for capacity on Intelsat 904 for contribution services. This agreement complements Multichoice's DTH capacity on Intelsat 7, Intelsat's leading African media distribution neighborhood at 68.5 degrees East.

Mumbai, India-based Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, one of India's leading television, media and entertainment companies, also will begin distributing its programming at 68.5 degrees East. The multi-year agreement spans Intelsat 10, and the follow-on Intelsat 20 satellite, scheduled for launch in mid-2012.

Dubai-based operator Strong Technologies LLC renewed its multi-year commitment to the Intelsat 10 video neighborhood at 68.5 degrees East for its DTH platform. The service includes a mix of movies, sports, news and general interest content, carried on such networks as FOX and BBC World, and on several popular local African channels.

Intelsat will provide distribution on its industry-leading African video neighborhood on Intelsat 10, and the follow-on Intelsat 20 satellite, and will offer access to Sub-Saharan Africa as Strong expands its program offerings, regions served and subscribers.

Broadband Infrastructure Providers Select Intelsat
Intelsat also continues to build on its leading position in providing wireless backhaul and other services to Africa's premier mobile phone operators and enterprise VSAT providers.

Recently, Intelsat entered into a multi-year agreement to provide capacity on Intelsat 14 at 315 degrees West to Sonema, a telecom services integrator and operator based in Monaco.

The contract renews and expands capacity for enterprise network solutions, allowing Sonema, a global leader for VSAT satellite networks, to provide services to organizations in the banking, multimedia and telecommunications, insurance, oil, gas, mining, and government sectors.

Intelsat's Multi-Billion Dollar Investment in Africa With the launch of Intelsat New Dawn earlier this year, Intelsat's African fleet grew to 22 satellites, representing a multi-billion dollar investment in the region.

The satellite has supplied critical Ku-band communications infrastructure to African customers from a geostationary orbital slot at 32.8 degrees East.

Intelsat continues to invest in infrastructure to serve Africa, with plans to launch three satellites - Intelsat 20, Intelsat 22 and Intelsat 23 - in the next 10 months that will provide incremental capacity to the continent.

Intelsat's African infrastructure also includes five DVB platforms on four satellites, and the flexibility to set up customized IntelsatONESM Network Broadband VSAT services.

These broadband platforms provide direct access to Intelsat's Internet backbone and global IntelsatONE fiber network. Intelsat's partnership with BT, announced earlier this year, expands the reach of the IntelsatONE terrestrial network to new locations across the globe, including Nigeria and South Africa.

Intelsat Managing Director for Africa, Jonathan Osler, said, "Intelsat's commitment to the African business community is unparalleled. No other satellite operator can provide the coverage, restoration and depth of services that Intelsat offers.

Nearly 200 companies on the continent, including virtually all of the region's wireless operators, trust our highly reliable network to provide the infrastructure they need to offer best-in-class services to their customers.

"We also continue to build on our strong history of training our customers' engineers and technicians across Africa as part of the industry's overall effort to reduce interference."