Digital Switchover in France Completed
Eutelsat's Fransat TV Platform Now Delivering DTT Channels to 1.6 Million TVs in France
PARIS, December 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
With analogue switch-off in France completed on 29 November, Eutelsat's FRANSAT service is firmly anchored as a key digital platform delivering national free-to-air channels to viewers beyond range of over-the-air, cable or ADSL reception.
Launched in 2009 as a subscription-free platform, FRANSAT is available to homes in metropolitan France equipped with a dish, a FRANSAT decoder and an access card. The platform operates from Eutelsat's 5° West position, used for more than 20 years to deliver France's national channels to homes beyond terrestrial analogue reception. With the addition of a FRANSAT decoder and card, viewers have been able to make the transition into a fully digital environment without changing their outdoor equipment.
FRANSAT has progressively built up its audience base over 24 months, particularly in rural and mountain areas as well as parts of France with poor terrestrial reception. The installed base today represents 1.2 million commercialised individual decoders and 400,000 community dwellings.
Viewers have access to France's 19 free national DTT channels, four HD channels, the regional network of France 3, as well as over 20 regional and local channels and radio stations. The FRANSAT dish also enables reception of Orange's TV platform which broadcasts from Eutelsat's 5° West neighbourhood and is accessible with an Orange decoder as part of the triple-play service based on a hybrid ADSL + satellite system. The platform can also be combined with broadband access provided by Eutelsat's Tooway service to offer satellite-based triple play in all parts of metropolitan France.
Preparing for new growth in 2012
In 2012, the FRANSAT offer at Eutelsat's 5° West position is preparing to expand to include additional HD channels and non-linear services. The platform's audience also continues to increase since analogue switch-off to meet viewer expectations for a quality digital experience.
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 29 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. As of 30 September 2011, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,800 television channels. More than 1,100 channels are broadcast via its HOT BIRD™ video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East alone 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 access to high speed internet 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 just over 700 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.
SOURCE Eutelsat Communications
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