TDA (Telediffusion d'algerie) Selects Eutelsat ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 Satellite to Support Launch of Digital Terrestrial Television in Algeria
TDA (Telediffusion d'algerie) Selects Eutelsat ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 Satellite to Support Launch of Digital Terrestrial Television in Algeria
PARIS, November 29/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) has inked a
contract for capacity on its ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite with Telediffusion
d'Algerie (TDA) to broadcast Algeria's national Digital Terrestrial
Television (DTT) package of television and radio channels. The launch of the
new platform underpins the Algerian government's objective to manage the
transition of the country's broadcasting sector into a fully digital
environment.
TDA's capacity on ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 will ensure that Digital
Terrestrial Television channels benefit from immediate and complete coverage
of Algeria. In the initial phase, digital channels will be available for
Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite reception, and in a second phase channels will
also be delivered to DTT transmitters for terrestrial rebroadcasting.
The five-year contract between Eutelsat and TDA is for one
36MHz transponder connected to ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3's steerable spotbeam which
is centred over Algeria. With this footprint, TDA is equipped to provide
high-power coverage of the entire Algerian territory, the Maghreb region and
Mediterranean Basin countries for DTH reception with 60cm antennas.
On December 1, TDA will initiate free-to-air broadcasting from
ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 at 5 degrees West of a package of three television
channels (La Chaine 1, Canal Algerie and A3) and four radio stations (CH I,
CH II, CH III and RAI - Radio Algerie Internationale), with further channels
to join the package. Homes equipped with a satellite dish pointing to
ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 will have free access to all channels in the package.
Delivery of the channels to DTT transmitters via ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 is
scheduled to begin in the course of 2008 when the first batch of terrestrial
transmitters is activated. TDA's objective is to ensure access to DTT
channels for all Algerian homes as quickly as possible, both in urban and the
most rural parts of Algeria, which is the largest of the Mediterranean
countries and the second largest in Africa after Sudan.
This new contract also further consolidates Eutelsat's
ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite in Algeria. TDA joins two anchor clients
already using the satellite: Algerie Telecom for enterprise networks,
broadband access and VOIP, and Orascom Algerie for broadband services for
public agencies and enterprises.
When the contract was signed, Tahar Beddiar, Deputy CEO of
TDA, commented: "This contract reinforces the relationship of trust between
TDA and Eutelsat and demonstrates conclusively our satisfaction with the
quality of broadcasting service delivered by Eutelsat. The implementation of
this contract for direct broadcasting of our platform of television and radio
channels is an important step in the deployment of our Digital Terrestrial
Television network."
Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director added:
"We are delighted to be selected by TDA to broadcast Algeria's DTT package
This new contract consolidates our ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite as a core
component of broadcasting infrastructure in the Francophone markets of
Europe, the Maghreb and the countries of the Mediterranean Basin. TDA's
strategy of deploying capacity on ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 for DTH reception and
for delivery of a digital package to DTT retransmitters serving densely
populated areas will ensure an efficient and cost-effective transition to a
fully digital environment."
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.
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
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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