CaribSat Selects Eutelsat's IP Easy Service to Launch Satellite Broadband in French West Indies and French Guiana

CaribSat Selects Eutelsat's IP Easy Service to Launch Satellite Broadband in French West Indies and French Guiana

First operator in the French West Indies and French Guiana to offer satellite broadband. CaribSat signs agreements with local communities to bridge the digital divide

PARIS, November 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) and CaribSat, an Internet Service
Provider, today announced the signature of a distribution agreement for the IP Easy
satellite broadband service provided through the Caribbean footprint of the EUTELSAT 8
West A satellite.



Starting in Guadeloupe, CaribSat is offering consumers and small businesses Internet
connectivity with download speeds ranging from 512 Kbps to 6 Mbps from EUR29.90 a month.
The service will be extended to Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barth and French Guiana
from 1 January 2014.



CaribSat's selection of a satellite-based service meets its key requirement to offer
an immediate broadband connectivity solution to users irrespective of their location.
Whereas 66% of the more than one million people living in the French West Indies and
French Guiana have a PC, only 50% have broadband compared to 72% broadband penetration in
metropolitan France.[1]



"The agreement announced today with Eutelsat equipsus to accelerate access to the
benefits of digital for the individuals and small businesses in the French West Indies and
French Guiana who are still struggling with dial-up," said Maryse Coppet of CaribSat. "The
broadband landscape in these regions is poised to quickly evolve and we look forward to
serving the many users impatient to join the digital economy."



Jean-Francois Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat's Chief Commercial Officer, added: "This
service agreement with CaribSat immediately lifts the obstacles faced by users beyond
range of terrestrial broadband to access a quality Internet connection. We are delighted
to share our expertise with CaribSat and to contribute to bridging the digital divide in
the French West Indies and French Guiana."



The user equipment for the IP Easy service comprises a one metre antenna and modem.
Equipment costs are in many cases subsidised by local communities in regions benefiting
from funds allocated for Internet connectivity. CaribSat is building partnerships with
local communities to accelerate the availability of financial support for eligible users
and today, on the Eutelsat stand at France's annual mayors' and communities' convention in
Paris, signed agreements with six local communities.



About CaribSat: http://www.caribsat.fr



About Eutelsat Communications



With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat
Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's
leading satellite operators. As of 30 September 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 4,700 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite
homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide
range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband
markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial,
technical and operational professionals from 30 countries. http://www.eutelsat.com.



--------------------------------------------------



1. ARCEP data from July 2013




Eutelsat Communications and CaribSat

CONTACT: 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, Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91, mecuer@eutelsat.fr. Investors and analysts, Leonard Wapler, Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com, Cédric Pugni, Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com.


-------
Profile: intent