Astrium Services Extends Agreement with Intelsat
for Connectivity to Cruise, Ferry and Offshore
Customers
Paris, Oslo and Luxembourg, 7 February 2013
Astrium Services, the global innovative provider of satellite communications-enabled solutions, and Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of satellite services, have signed a multi-year renewal agreement for C-band capacity to be used by Astrium Services’ maritime customers in the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
The agreement will enable the new Business Communications unit of Astrium Services to continue meeting the high bandwidth requirements of C-band customized VSAT users, and supports broadband and expanded capabilities in the cruise, ferry and offshore sectors. Astrium Services will use C-band capacity on Intelsat 907 at 332.5° East to provide fast, reliable data connectivity and voice communication for passengers and operational purposes.
Maritime customers with high bandwidth requirements will be able to continue integrating new services aboard vessels, and take advantage of technology designed to support efficient operations. Likewise, the capacity will improve passenger communication, ensuring that multiple simultaneous users can access the Internet, providing a competitive advantage to cruise and ferry operators through the ability to offer vessel-wide Wi-Fi and high levels of connectivity, regardless of location.
“With Ku-band VSAT showing considerable growth over the last few years, it’s important to recognize the strong need for C-band connectivity in the specialist sectors that Astrium Services is committed to satisfying,” said Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime Services at Astrium Services. “Cruise ships and ferries require significant bandwidth to support passenger welfare and business applications, whilst offshore vessels and platforms need high levels of connectivity for critical operations and production optimization. Securing improved C-band capacity on Intelsat 907 supports our customized VSAT users in enhancing operations and offering improved connectivity services for business, crew and passengers, even in the most challenging of environments.”
“Astrium Services has clearly established itself as a leader in delivering reliable and advanced communications services to maritime customers around the globe,” said Intelsat RVP of Europe and Middle East Sales Jean-Philippe Gillet. “With the need for VSAT connectivity growing among the important maritime segment, Astrium Services can rely on Intelsat’s industry-leading satellite fleet to meet the demanding requirements of its customers.”
About Astrium
Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the third in the world. In 2011, Astrium had a turnover close to €5 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide, mainly in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Astrium is the sole European company that covers the whole range of civil and defence space systems and services. Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure; Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment; Astrium Services for comprehensive fixed and mobile end-to-end solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security and broadcast satellite communications equipment and systems, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide. Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2011, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 49.1 billion and employed a workforce of over 133,000. www.astriumservices.com
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
