Digital Switchover in France Completed

Digital Switchover in France Completed

Eutelsat's Fransat TV Platform Now Delivering DTT Channels to 1.6 Million TVs in France

PARIS, December 15, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

With analogue switch-off in France completed on 29 November, Eutelsat's FRANSAT
service is firmly anchored as a key digital platform delivering national free-to-air
channels to viewers beyond range of over-the-air, cable or ADSL reception.

Launched in 2009 as a subscription-free platform, FRANSAT is available to homes in
metropolitan France equipped with a dish, a FRANSAT decoder and an access card. The
platform operates from Eutelsat's 5degree(s) West position, used for more than 20 years to
deliver France's national channels to homes beyond terrestrial analogue reception. With
the addition of a FRANSAT decoder and card, viewers have been able to make the transition
into a fully digital environment without changing their outdoor equipment.

FRANSAT has progressively built up its audience base over 24 months, particularly in
rural and mountain areas as well as parts of France with poor terrestrial reception. The
installed base today represents 1.2 million commercialised individual decoders and 400,000
community dwellings.

Viewers have access to France's 19 free national DTT channels, four HD channels, the
regional network of France 3, as well as over 20 regional and local channels and radio
stations. The FRANSAT dish also enables reception of Orange's TV platform which broadcasts
from Eutelsat's 5degree(s) West neighbourhood and is accessible with an Orange decoder as
part of the triple-play service based on a hybrid ADSL + satellite system. The platform
can also be combined with broadband access provided by Eutelsat's Tooway service to offer
satellite-based triple play in all parts of metropolitan France.

Preparing for new growth in 2012

In 2012, the FRANSAT offer at Eutelsat's 5degree(s) West position is preparing to
expand to include additional HD channels and non-linear services. The platform's audience
also continues to increase since analogue switch-off to meet viewer expectations for a
quality digital experience.

http://www.fransat.fr

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding
company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 29 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. As of 30 September 2011, Eutelsat's satellites
were broadcasting more than 3,800 television channels. More than 1,100 channels are
broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East alone 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 access to high speed internet 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 just over 700 commercial, technical and
operational professionals from 30 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information, Press: Vanessa O'Connor , Tel. : +33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr ; Frédérique Gautier , Tel. : + 33-1-53-98-37-91 , fgautier@eutelsat.fr ;Analysts and Investors, Lisa Finas , Tel. : +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com ; Léonard Wapler, Tel. : +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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