The Liberty Global DTH satellite platform UPC Direct has begun testing on the new Thor 5 at one degree West. Broadband TV News understands that the tests were instigated by the operator Telenor Satellite Broadcasting and do not indicate an immediate switch to the One West position. Sources at Telenor described the transmissions as being UPC’s tests.
Telenor is one of a number of operators that has been courting UPC Direct, which currently uses the Astra satellite system at 19 degrees East. However, SES has been keen to move smaller operators to the neighbouring 23.5 degrees East position, in favour of the larger and more lucrative markets of Germany, France and Spain.
Given the rising costs, UPC Direct has little choice than to move from 19 degrees East, but with a long-term contract with SES in place, the platform still has 18 months in which to make up its mind.
Executives are also being courted by Eutelsat, which is keen to develop the Eurobird 9 satellite at 9 degrees East. In Telenor’s favour, UPC Direct’s sister service Focus Sat in Romania already uses One West capacity.
