The brand new AsiaSat 5 communications satellite of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) began commercial service on the 17th September, at the orbital location of 100.5 degrees East with enhanced power, coverage and connectivity, for advanced satellite broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband services across Asia Pacific.

Following its launch on the 12th August and the successful completion of in-orbit testing to verify the satellite?s performance and integrity, AsiaSat 5 is now operational at 100.5 degrees East, the orbital slot occupied by AsiaSat 2 since 1996. Traffic transfer from AsiaSat 2 to AsiaSat 5 has commenced and is expected to be completed over the next few weeks.

AsiaSat 5 is now serving many public and private broadcasters from around the world and a number of wholesale news agencies, video service providers, teleport service providers for video and news distribution and contribution services, as well as governments and corporations for VSAT network services.

"We are extremely pleased to have reached this important milestone of service commencement, offering enhancement in power and coverage, and very importantly service continuity to all AsiaSat 2 users. Over the past 13 years, AsiaSat 2 has established a leading position in international broadcasting and video distribution and contribution services. We are confident that with the more advanced features, along with the added capacity and new coverage beams onboard, AsiaSat 5 will continue AsiaSat 2?s success in Asia, and play a vital role in our expanding service offerings," said Peter Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.

AsiaSat 5, a Space Systems/Loral?s 1300 satellite, carries 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders, and has a design life of 15 years. AsiaSat 5 offers an enhanced pan Asian C-band footprint that covers more than 53 countries spanning from Russia to New Zealand and from Japan to the Middle East and parts of Africa.

In addition to a powerful Ku-band East Asia beam, the new satellite also offers two new Ku-band beams - the South Asia beam and a steerable beam at the 100.5 degrees East to satisfy market demands.