Intelsat S.A., the world's largest provider of commercial satellite services, has confirmed its upcoming launch schedule for four satellites, part of a $1.3 billion fleet investment program in the Asia-Pacific region. The program is designed to refresh and expand satellite capacity available for media programmers and communications providers offering services in the region.

The program will also deploy a significant portion of Intelsat's global mobility beams, a Ku-band network designed to deliver broadband services for maritime, aero and other mobility services.

Intelsat's Investment in Asia-Pacific
Intelsat's fleet investment includes four satellites to be launched in 2011 and 2012.

Intelsat 18 Launch date: Second half of 2011 Location: 180 degrees E; replaces Intelsat 701 Services: Prime video neighborhood; enhanced DTH coverage and network services capabilities to the Pacific Islands via C-band and Ku-band platforms

Intelsat 19 Launch date: Second quarter of 2012 Location: 166 degrees E; replaces Intelsat 8 Services: Prime video neighborhood; increased Ku-band capacity optimized for DTH; the satellite's C-band will provide enhanced performance capacity for distribution of international video content throughout the Asia-Pacific region; includes Ku-band mobility beams for maritime broadband services across the Pacific.

Intelsat 20 Launch date: Second quarter of 2012 Location: 68.5 degrees E; replaces Intelsat 10 and Intelsat 7 Services: Premier video distribution and contribution community linking Asia, Africa and Europe with more than 160 video channels

Intelsat 22 Launch date: First half of 2012 Location: 72 degrees E; new orbital location Services: Includes a Ku-band mobility beam, Asian C-band coverage with direct connectivity to Africa and a UHF hosted payload for the Australian Defence Force. Intelsat also announced several new contracts with leading media companies, as the momentum builds in the months leading up to the launches. The agreements provide Asian-based programmers with the ability to deliver content to a variety of audiences through Intelsat's premium video neighborhoods.

"Successful media companies are continually seeking to maximize the audience for their content," said Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat's Senior Vice President of Global Sales.

"As a result, they're choosing Intelsat. Simply put, our satellites deliver 'more eyes' to media customers through our successful video neighborhoods serving the Asia-Pacific region."

"With our global network of over 50 satellites, the IntelsatONE terrestrial infrastructure, and refreshed capacity from our upcoming launches, Intelsat can provide highly efficient distribution into a single region or throughout the globe, supporting customer growth," he added.

"The constantly growing need for broadband connectivity is vital to network operators in the Asia-Pacific region," noted Riegelman. "For example, we are establishing a regional distribution network to provide maritime services on our Ku-band mobility beams, which are customized to provide broadband connectivity to heavily used shipping routes."

New Agreements on Intelsat 10
Network18 Media and Investments Limited, which owns and operates one of India's premier bouquets of television channels, expanded its commitment on Intelsat 10 at 68.5 degrees through Television Eighteen India Limited, which is the broadcast platform of the Network18 media group.

It intends to use the capacity to launch new programming for Viacom 18 and A and E Networks' joint venture with Network18 on Intelsat 10, bridging to Intelsat 20 when it launches new SD and HD channels for cable distribution across India.

Bharti Teleports Limited also recently expanded its existing agreement for services on Intelsat 10, eventually bridging to Intelsat 20 as part of a multi-year deal. This agreement allows Bharti continued access to India's cable headend community and helps meet the demand to support distribution for the 75 newly licensed channels in India, in addition to the 525 existing licensed channels.

New Commitments on Intelsat 17
With premier anchor programmers such as Sun TV, Sony Pictures Television and Essel Shyam already on board, Intelsat 17 continues to attract blue-chip customers as India's new video hotspot. Tata Communications' Global Media and Entertainment division, part of the Tata Companies, recently entered into a contract for multiple transponders at 66 degrees E, enabling content distribution for broadcasters globally to cable headends across the Intelsat 17 footprint.

The multi-year contract further strengthens Tata Communications' ability to access the community of Asian-themed programming.

Indiasign, a prominent service provider for MCPC broadcasting services in India, recently entered into a contract for C-band services supporting cable distribution for its growing portfolio of tier one media programmers. Indiasign plans to migrate services from Intelsat's APR-1 capacity to Intelsat 17 at 66 degrees E in the next few months.

Finally, Intelsat is partnering with Encompass Digital Media to expand our managed media services in the Asia-Pacific region. The companies are developing a new IntelsatONE MCPC platform on Intelsat 17, adding to the Intelsat 8 MCPC platform that was implemented late last year.

The two platforms are highly suitable for new HD and SD channel launches in Asia, offering programmers cost effective DVB-S2 solutions with access to a premier neighborhood of thousands of cable systems, hotels and other distribution sites. Intelsat and Encompass Digital Media have a wide coverage area including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Asia Pacific, as well as the Pacific Islands.

Early Demand for Intelsat 18
As previously announced, GlobeCast France SAS, an affiliate of France Telecom, recently signed a long-term deal with Intelsat to provide television and radio services for RFO Polynesie in the Pacific Ocean region.

GlobeCast France SAS will use capacity on both Ku-band beams covering the region on Intelsat 18 once it launches. This high-powered capacity provides unique access into this geographically dispersed market, and firmly positions the 180 degrees E orbital location as the hotspot for broadcasters in the Pacific.

Renewal on Galaxy 3C
Intelsat continues to provide global connectivity to its Asia-based customers. China Central Television (CCTV) recently renewed its agreement on Galaxy 3C for 27 MHz of Ku-band capacity. CCTV provides DTH service to North America as part of a multi-year contract. The agreement is in addition to CCTV's current deal with Intelsat to provide C-band distribution on Intelsat 9.

"Our sales and customer support teams in India, Singapore, Australia, China and Japan ensure that our customers' needs are being met at the local level," said Terry Bleakley, Regional Vice President, Asia-Pacific Sales. "This region includes many diverse customer types and unique applications. Because we understand the local trends, we know how to build solutions for customers that support their growth plans, whether regional or global."