Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM) 7A Satellite Goes Live

Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM) 7A Satellite Goes Live

PARIS, April 20/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced
the commercial entry into service of its HOT BIRD(TM) 7A broadcast satellite.
The satellite went into operation in the night of 20 April at 01.00 UTC
(03.00 Paris time). Built by Alcatel Alenia Space and launched on 11 March by
an Ariane 5 ECA rocket supplied by Arianespace, the satellite's performance
in orbit is expected to exceed 15 years.

Equipped with a payload of 38 Ku-band transponders, HOT
BIRD(TM) 7A is the first of a new generation of HOT BIRD(TM) satellite to be
located at Eutelsat's 13 degrees East neighbourhood which broadcasts 850
television channels and 550 radio stations to more than 113 million homes.
The satellite's principal mission is to replace HOT BIRD(TM) 1 which has
provided 11 years of stellar service at 13 degrees East.

The majority of channels broadcast by HOT BIRD(TM) 1 were
successfully switched to HOT BIRD(TM) 7A in the night of 20 April by
Eutelsat's Control Centre, working in close collaboration with technicians
providing channels with uplink services. This coordination enabled a totally
seamless transfer for homes receiving channels in the pay-TV platforms using
the new satellite. A full channel line-up including reception parameters is
available on Eutelsat's website www.eutelsat.com. HOT BIRD(TM) 1 will remain
at 13 degrees East until September.

"The perfect entry into service of our new HOT BIRD(TM) 7A
satellite was completed with the full mobilisation of the teams at Eutelsat
who ensured full coordination with our clients to ensure a switch with
optimal conditions for viewers," commented Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat CEO.
"My appreciation goes to our broadcast clients for the confidence they have
shown in our satellite system by joining the line-up on our new satellite,
including Serbia Telekom for its new digital platform, to those who have
renewed their trust in Eutelsat who include Poland's TVN, and those who have
increased capacity who include Switzerland's national public broadcaster, SRG
SSR Idee Suisse."

HOT BIRD(TM)7 A characteristics

Prime contractor Alcatel Alenia Space
Platform Spacebus 3000 B3
Mission TV and radio broadcasting
Orbital position 13 degrees East
Coverage Europe, North Africa, Middle East
Launcher Ariane 5 ECA
Dimensions 3.7 x 1.8 x 2.3 m

Span in-orbit 36.9 m with solar panels deployed
Launch mass 4100 kg
Life span > 15 yrs
Payload 38 Ku-band transponders
Electric power 10 kW
Downlink frequencies 10.70 - 12.75 GHz

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
The holding company of Eutelsat S.A. The Group is a leading satellite
Operator with capacity commercialised on 23 satellites providing coverage
over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India
and significant parts of Asia and the Americas. The Group is one of the
world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. Its
satellites are used for broadcasting nearly 1,800 TV and 900 radio stations
to more than 120 million cable and satellite homes. The Group also provides
TV contribution services, corporate networks, mobile positioning and
communications, Internet backbone connectivity and broadband access for
terrestrial, maritime and in-flight applications. Eutelsat Communications is
headquartered in Paris, and the Group's workforce comprises over 480 from 27
countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information
Press
Vanessa O'Connor Tel: +33-1-53-9838-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frederique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-9838-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors
Gilles Janvier Tel: +33-1-53-9835-35,
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-9838-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-9838-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr. Investors: Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-9835-35, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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