Satellite Broadband in Africa Goes to a New Level: Eutelsat's new 'IP Easy' Service Uses Newtec Technology for a Fast Route to Broadband

PARIS, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced the entry into service of its new 'IP Easy' broadband platform built to extend high-speed Internet access to residential and home office users as well as small and medium-sized enterprises across sub-Saharan Africa.

Combining the strengths of Ku-band capacity on the recently-launched EUTELSAT 16A satellite with Newtec's successful Sat3Play® technology, IP Easy is available in a service area stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to Madagascar. The service delivers downlink speeds of up to 4Mbps and can be configured to support VOIP and satellite reception of TV channels in triple play mode. The selection of Newtec's Sat3Play® product which uses Point&Play self-installation also enables end users to autonomously install the complete system with no specific qualification needed or expensive tooling.

The hub for IP Easy is located at Eutelsat's teleport in Sardinia (Italy) which has been developed in particular to provide broadband services for users in Africa thanks to its location in the south of Europe. The teleport benefits from direct access to the Internet backbone via key Points of Presence in Europe.

For Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Commercial Director at Eutelsat: "With the launch of IP Easy, we are leveraging the footprint of EUTELSAT 16A and the proven performance of Newtec's technology to deliver heavy-user consumers, SoHos and SMEs in Africa a quality broadband service that matches their needs in terms of performance and cost-efficiency. IP Easy responds to pent-up demand for broadband from the many users beyond terrestrial networks and adds a new layer of diversity to our portfolio of services for the African continent."

IP Easy has already been selected by Afrique Télécom, a specialised distributor of wireless services, and will be presented on Eutelsat's stand during Satcom Africa in Johannesburg from May 21 to 24.

Eutelsat and Newtec are exhibiting at SatCom Africa in Johannesburg from May 21-24. The IP Easy terminal set will be displayed on the Eutelsat stand (26).

For more information on SatCom Africa: http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/satcom-africa/

For more information from Newtec: http://www.newtec.eu. Stand 5A at Satcom Africa.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 28 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 31 March 2012, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,250 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 750 commercial, technical and operational professionals. This culturally diverse staff includes employees from 30 countries. http://www.eutelsat.com

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications