PBLSat Selects Two Eutelsat Satellites to Increase Capacity for Professional Video Transmissions Across Europe

PBLSat Selects Two Eutelsat Satellites to Increase Capacity for Professional Video Transmissions Across Europe

LONDON and PARIS, January 10/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PBLSat, specialists in Occasional Use satellite services for the broadcasting community, today announced the confirmation of long-term contracts for capacity on two satellites operated by Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL). With these additional in-orbit resources PBLSat is increasing its commitment to the market for professional video transmissions in Europe of news, entertainment and sport events.

PBLSat has renewed its contract for a further three years on Eutelsat's W2 satellite which provides coverage of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The company has also purchased 36 MHz of capacity for three years on Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 satellite whose pan-European footprint serves Europe and also extends as far as the Gulf States. PBLSat CEO Nic Thorley comments that "ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 will complement our existing ad-hoc European satellite offering and will allow our clients to have full access to one of Europe's premier satellites."

PBLSat aims to use its W2 and ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 capacity to service its expanding European SNG news and sport operations. In addition to offering uplinks to broadcasters and content producers via its fleet of 16 SNG vehicles and four flyaway units, PBLSat will provide services to W2 and ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 from dedicated antennas located in the UK at the Madley teleport and throughout Europe. The transponder configuration on the new capacity on ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 will allow PBLSat to offer 4 x 9MHz digital channels; this will enable 8, 15 and 24 Mbit/s video services and can incorporate the growing demand for HD transmissions.

Eutelsat Commercial Director Olivier Millies-Lacroix said, "We believe this agreement will continue to strengthen our relationship with PBLSat. We are very satisfied that the coverages and bandwidth options offered by W2 and ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 can meet PBLSat's requirements and enable a swift reaction to expanding demands for Occasional Use capacity for Standard Digital and High Definition coverage of breaking news, sports and entertainment events."

About PBLSat

PBLSat specialise in providing Occasional Use satellite services to the global broadcast marketplace. Based in London, they provide SNG and satellite services throughout Europe and beyond. In April 2007 PBLSat acquired the rights to BT Broadcast Services Occasional Service portfolio. This means PBLSat can provide clients with many of the services they have traditionally used, but within the framework of a company dedicated to Occasional Use and excellent customer service.

PBLSat have a fleet of 16 SNG vehicles and 6 Ku/C flyaway units working throughout Europe, across news, sport and entertainment. As well as a dedicated truck fleet PBLSat also provide the following products and services to their global client base.

- In house dedicated Occasional Use satellite capacity on Eutelsat W2 and AB1.

- Global Satellite Coverage, accessing Intelsat, Eutelsat and Asiasat.

- Dedicated teleport facilities at Madley in the UK with access to over 45 satellites.

- Fibre connectivity linking major European and US hubs.

- Turnaround facilities in the Middle East linking Europe and the Far East.

- Multi lingual, 24/7, PBL Space Centre for all booking requirements comprising a dedicated Special Events team.

- Clients include BSKYB, IMG, Reuters, Overon and Sport 5.

http://www.pblsat.com

PBLSat Contact

          Suzanne Harding         Head of Marketing       Tel.:+44-203-170-5574       Mobile: +44(0)7824-847743     Fax: +44-870-803-3045     Suzanne.harding@pblsat.com  

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 24 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 September 2007, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting over 2,730 television channels, of which more than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 529 commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

          Eutelsat Press Contact:      Vanessa O'Connor     Tel.: +33(0)1-53-98-38-88     voconnor@eutelsat.fr      Frederique Gautier      Tel.: +33(0)1-53-98-38-88     fgautier@eutelsat.fr      Eutelsat Investor relations:      Gilles Janvier     Tel. : +33(0)1-53-98-35-35     investors@eutelsat-communications.com  

Source: Eutelsat Communications

PBLSat Contact: Suzanne Harding, Head of Marketing, Tel.:+44-203-170-5574, Mobile: +44(0)7824-847743, Fax: +44-870-803-3045, Suzanne.harding@pblsat.com; Eutelsat Press Contact: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel.: +33(0)1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel.: +33(0)1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Eutelsat Investor relations, Gilles Janvier, Tel. : +33(0)1-53-98-35-35, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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Profile: International Entertainment