The increasing popularity of direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television and the growing demand for High Definition (HD) broadcast content across Asia-Pacific are driving the demand for satellite capacity in the region. With the number of channels offered by DTH platforms in Southeast Asia projected to reach 1,600 by 2016, leading global satellite operator SES is ramping up investment activities in Asia-Pacific to meet the increasing demand for satellite capacity.

SES' current committed investment in Asia includes SES-8, which is due to launch in the first quarter of 2013. The satellite will deliver vital expansion capacity to thriving Asian video neighbourhoods in South Asia and Indochina. SES-8 will be the first geostationary satellite launched by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Additionally, SES is looking for further growth opportunities and sees the potential to invest in one to two additional satellites to deliver increased satellite capacity and coverage in Asia-Pacific beyond 2014. The new satellites will help fuel the growth in the pay TV markets and the maritime industry in the region.

"SES has experienced considerable growth in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa in the past year, which contributed 24 percent of total revenue in 2011. By making these substantial investments to meet demand for satellite capacity in Asia-Pacific, we hope to grow with our customers and continue to be the partner of choice for broadcasters, governments, businesses and communities here," said Deepak Mathur, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, SES.

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SES Signs New Multi-Year Capacity Deal With Telikom PNG
SES has signed a new multi-year capacity deal with Telikom Papua New Guinea (Telikom PNG), the country's incumbent telecommunications operator. The deal involves a renewal of satellite capacity on NSS-9 at 183 degrees East and on NSS-6 at 95 degrees East. In total, Telikom PNG currently contracts more than 100 MHz in capacity with SES and is one of SES' largest customers in Papua New Guinea.

Telikom PNG is the premier operator of voice and data services in Papua New Guinea. The renewal will enable Telikom PNG to continue expanding its cellular services into new regions and provide telephone services over challenging mountainous terrain by providing cellular backhaul between a large number of sites around the country and the capital, Port Moresby.

Deepak Mathur, Senior Vice President Commercial, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at SES, said: "NSS-9 deploys state-of-the-art technology and is one of the most powerful satellites in SES' fleet of 50 satellites, enabling customers like Telikom PNG to optimise their networks to get the maximum throughput to save costs and operate more efficiently.

"We are delighted to support Telikom PNG's service expansion to improve connectivity for enterprises, governments and consumers, and contribute further to the development of the telecommunications sector in Papua New Guinea."

Charles Litau, CEO, Telikom Papua New Guinea, said: "The new deal will allow us to provide our customers with connectivity to the remotest locations - the highlands, mining camps and islands of Papua New Guinea. We have benefitted from SES' global expertise and excellent technical and engineering support, and we look forward to further developing our strong partnership by exploring other business opportunities in Papua New Guinea."