According to the contract, the launch of the Satelcom satellite is scheduled for the first half of 2001 from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest Sichuan Province.

The Satelcom satellite is a 2,600 kilogram geo-stationary satellite with 28 Ku-band transponders, a press release from Great Wall said.

A long-term lease agreement between Alenia and Eutelsat, a Paris-based satellite operator, has been reached with Eutelsat providing broadband multimedia services for Europe and America under the name Atlantic Gate.

The launch will be the fourth for the Long March 3A, following three successful launches since its maiden flight in 1994. The contract was the first time Great Wall has provided launch services for an international client using the Long March 3A.

Alenia officials said Great Wall's launch fees were some 40 percent cheaper than fees charged by Western commercial launchers.

Great Wall Industry Corporation, China's sole organizaton offer commercial satellite launch service, has successfully launched 25 foreign commercial satellites. The Long March 3A has a payload of up to 2,650 kilograms.

LONG MARCH
China Plans South China Sea Launch Pad
Hong Kong (AFP) October 4, 1999 - China is planning to build a satellite launching centre on Hainan island in the South China Sea, a report here said Monday.An official said the construction of a launching pad could cost up to two billion yuan (24 million dollars), adding the project could invite foreign investment.