Eutelsat and IctQATAR Sign Strategic Alliance to Develop a New Satellite Programme Expanding Opportunities at Eutelsat's 25.5degrees East Neighbourhood

PARIS and DOHA, Qatar, May 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ictQATAR (representing the State of Qatar) and Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announce today the signing of a partnership agreement to invest in and operate a new high-capacity satellite at Eutelsat's 25.5degrees East location, one of the two longstanding and anchored neighbourhoods serving fast-growing markets in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

This historic partnership was signed this morning at the Emiri Diwan in Doha, in the presence of H.E Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani and Eutelsat Chairman Giuliano Berretta, by Dr Hessa Al Jaber Secretary General of ictQatar and Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO.

To be launched at the end of 2012, the new satellite will provide both a significantly expanded mission and superior coverage and power across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia to follow-on from Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 2 satellite, which is currently operated at 25.5degrees East. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and additional Ku-band resources for ictQATAR, it will initiate a Ka-band capability opening business opportunities for both parties.

This multi-mission architecture will enable both partners to respond to the fastest-growing applications in the Middle East and Africa, including video broadcasting, enterprise communications and government services. The television market will in particular benefit from the installed base of more than 13 million satellite homes already equipped for Direct-to-Home reception from this neighbourhood.

"Qatar is pleased to enter into this strategic partnership with Eutelsat with a satellite resource that we have named "ES'HAIL". The agreement is important for us as it will secure our strategic interests in communications capabilities in terms of broadcasting, communications, government services and any other future innovative services that our local market will require," said Dr. Hessa Al Jaber.

Michel de Rosen added: "We are honoured to partner with ictQatar and are convinced that together, we can represent a strong and complementary force that benefits the expansion and continuing sophistication of digital services across the footprint of our future new satellite. We look forward to developing this new relationship with ictQatar, which further anchors on a long-term basis our commitment to markets in the Middle East and North Africa."

Eutelsat and ictQatar are scheduled to place the order for the new satellite by the middle of 2010, with launch in late 2012. This programme is part of the capex plan communicated by Eutelsat Communications for the period 2009-2012.

About ictQATAR

The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives, drive economic development and inspire confidence in the future. ictQATAR is entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's independent and fair regulator of the telecommunications market, and as the government body that nurtures innovative technologies to benefit those who live and work in Qatar.

http://www.ictQATAR.qa

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26 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 2009, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,400 television channels and close to 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 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 635 employees from 27 countries.

    http://www.eutelsat.com

    Contact:

    Howaida Nadim
    Communications Director
    Tel.:+974-4995323
    Fax: F +974-4995352
    M +974-5873227
    [email protected]

    Eutelsat Press Contacts

    Vanessa O'Connor
    Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
    [email protected]

    Frederique Gautier
    Tel.:+33(0)1-5398-3791
    [email protected]

    Investor Relations Contact
    Lisa Sanders Finas
    Tel.: +33(0)1-5398-3092
    [email protected]

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications