Eutelsat Commissions New W3B Satellite From Thales Alenia Space

Eutelsat Commissions New W3B Satellite From Thales Alenia Space

PARIS, February 26/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the
world's leading satellite operators, today announced that Thales Alenia Space
has been commissioned to build the W3B satellite which will provide Eutelsat
with significant new capacity for broadcasting, telecommunications and
broadband services.

Scheduled for launch in the second quarter 2010, W3B will in
principle be co-positioned with Eutelsat's W3A satellite at 7 degrees East.
Based on the Spacebus 4000 platform of Thales Alenia Space, the satellite's
56 transponders will enable Eutelsat to offer significantly enhanced security
from 7 degrees East for clients requesting this service, and to increase
operational transponders at this neighbourhood by more than 50 per cent.

Enhanced security at 7 degrees East

The procurement of W3B underscores Eutelsat's objective to
transform 7 degrees East into a premium neighbourhood hosting two large
satellites. It follows the multi-satellite strategy pursued by Eutelsat at 13
degrees East which has seen the HOT BIRD(TM) satellites develop into the
leading neighbourhood worldwide for the number of channels broadcast. With
optimised coverage of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and central Asia, the
W3A satellite at 7 degrees East already broadcasts almost 200 television
channels and also carries professional video and data services.

Additional resources to accompany the success of W3A

With the arrival of W3B, operational capacity at 7 degrees
East will expand from 44 to 70 transponders. These additional resources will
enable Eutelsat to support the expansion of existing customers, notably
broadcasters now launching their first HDTV channels, and will also bring
fresh capacity to boost Eutelsat's resources in other regions.

W3B will have three key coverage zones:

- High-power Ku-band coverage of Europe with a beam centred
over central Europe and Turkey which is particularly optimised for
Direct-to-Home (DTH) reception in these regions,

- Extensive coverage across Extended Europe, and including
North Africa and the Middle East as far as central Asia, via a Ku-band beam
optimised for professional video links and data networks,

- Ku-band coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean
islands for regional telecommunications and Internet services.
Interconnection with Europe will also be possible with the African
coverage through a combination of Ka-band frequencies in Europe and
Ku-band frequencies in Africa.

With seven satellites planned for launch before the end of
2010, of which the first two in 2008, Eutelsat is currently pursuing one of
the largest in-orbit investment programmes in the satellite sector. Within
the framework of this programme, and thanks to the flexibility of its design,
W3B will also contribute to securing continuity of services at the orbital
positions 16 degrees East, 10 degrees East or 36 degrees East in the event of
a failure at launch of W2M, W2A or W7 .

With a scheduled in-orbit life of more than 15 years W3B is
the 18th satellite commissioned by Eutelsat from Thales Alenia Space.

Key data for W3B

Platform: Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000

Dimensions:

Height: 5.8 m
Length: 2.0 m
Width: 2.2 m
Width with solar panels deployed: 34 m
Mass at launch: 5.4 tonnes
Power at end-of-life: 12 kW
Operational life: 15 years +
Orbital position: 7 degrees East

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 31 December 2007, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting almost 3,000 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More
than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13
degrees East 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 538
commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

For further information:

Press:
Vanessa O'Connor,
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88,
voconnor@eutelsat.fr;

Frederique Gautier,
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88,
fgautier@eutelsat.fr.

Investors:
Gilles Janvier,
Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30,
investors@eutelsat-communications.com.

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr. Investors: Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com.

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