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O3b mPOWER launch success

SES has confirmed that two additional O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida , United States . With the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites launched , the system completes the six medium earth orbit ( MEO ) satellites required to offer high-performance network services delivering high throughput , predictable low latency , unique flexibility and service availability .

In October 2023 , SES announced it will add to the constellation two more satellites built by Boeing , bringing the total number of O3b mPOWER satellites to 13 . The additional investment is expected to be covered within SES ’ s existing committed CapEx envelope . The first four O3b mPOWER satellites launched in the last year have arrived at their target orbital position and are undergoing in-orbit checks , including a series of system validation tests encompassing both space and ground components .
In 2023 alone , SES has rolled out and tested more than 160 O3b mPOWER terminals over the existing O3b constellation to serve mobility , telecom , government , and enterprise customers .
“ With the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites launched and going operational in the next few months , we are gearing up to deliver the high-performance connectivity services our customers need . By building resiliency into the network , we are confident our customers will be able to depend on us to deliver the reliable and secure connectivity required to run their operations ,” said Ruy Pinto , CEO of SES .
O3b mPOWER commercial service is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2024 .
In October 2023 , SES announced it will add to the constellation two more satellites built by Boeing , bringing the total number of O3b mPOWER satellites to 1
France Télévisions chooses Eutelsat for UHD
French public broadcaster
has signed a multi-year
contract with Eutelsat
Communications to broadcast
two 4K channels on both
terrestrial and satellite
networks . France 2 UHD ,
a full-time channel , and
France 3 UHD , a part-time
UHD channel dedicated
to special events will be
distributed via satellite to
terrestrial transmitters across
the French territory , as well
as Direct-to-Home via the
Fransat platform .
The channels will be broadcast via the EUTELSAT 5 West B satellite using the new DVB-SIS ( Single Illumination System ) transmission technology standard . This enables France Télévisions to use a single content source , combining distribution to both the terrestrial network backbone
( DTT ) and Direct-to-Home ( DTH ) reception via Fransat , the free-to-view satellite platform for French DTT channels . In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games , the service is scheduled to start by early 2024 .
By incorporating satellite in their UHD distribution strategy ,
France Télévisions is ensuring that they can reach and serve all audiences with high-quality , reliable content delivery . According to Eutelsat , satellite has the available bandwidth and extensive reach , to provide extremely popular , premium quality content to all users across vast territories , as well as off-set terrestrial networks for a smooth , consistent viewing experience .
“ With 4K standards , France Télévisions is delighted to be able to bring our France 2 and France 3 channels to our viewers with exceptional picture and sound quality ,” commented Jacques Donat- Bouillud , head of distribution for France Télévisions . “ Eutelsat has provided us with an innovative and competitive solution for feeding terrestrial
and satellite networks . Eutelsat ’ s technical expertise and quality of services were decisive for us .”
“ We are honoured to have been chosen by France Télévisions for the first launch of a public UHD channel , and the first deployment of the DVB-SIS standard in France ,” added Laurence Delpy , general manager of Eutelsat ’ s Video Business Unit . “ By incorporating this mutualised approach in their distribution strategy , feeding both terrestrial and satellite networks from a single source , France Télévisions is efficiently ensuring that all viewers across the French territory can enjoy the 4K quality programmes , no matter where they are located .”
6 EUROMEDIA