Eutelsat Communications and the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new satellite in the 36 degrees East neighbourhood.
According to the MoU, the satellite will be launched in 2015 and deliver new resources to both parties for consumer broadcasting and multimedia services within a footprint of European Russia to the Urals.
It will also carry a payload with a footprint over sub-Saharan Africa to provide long-term continuity for services currently supplied by W4 at 36 degrees East.
Financing of the new satellite will be ensured by Eutelsat, while RSCC will manage in-orbit operations from its Dubna satellite centre.
The MoU, which was signed today (May 10) at the official opening of the SVIAZ Expocom 2011 conference and exhibition in Moscow, marks the latest stage in cooperation between the two companies that began in 1994, when RCSS, representing the Russian Federation, joined the Eutelsat intergovernmental organisation.
Services at 36 degrees East began in 1997, with the positioning of a satellite by Eutelsat to start digital broadcasts in Russia.
