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EUTELSAT
Seeks Bids on Three Satellite Request for Proposals
EUTELSAT (European
Telecommunication Satellite Organization) has approved the release
of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new generation satellite
optimized for Internet Protocol (IP) access  networks
with satellite return link capabilities, to be called e-Bird. In a
separate action, Eutelsat is also releasing a Request for Proposal
for two new HotBird satellites.
e-Bird is to be
positioned at 25.5°E, and be equipped with 20 Ku-band transponders.
Sixteen transponders will operate at 36 MHz bandwidth for the
forward link, and four transponders at 108 MHz bandwidth for the
return link, to accommodate the asymmetric nature of Internet
access. Coverage of the European region will be provided by multiple
spotbeams that will be accessible with small transmit terminals. The
satellite is to be launched in the second quarter of 2002.
Hotbirds 8 and 9
will be positioned at 13°E, completing the replacement of existing
Hotbird capacity. With these two satellites, a total of almost 100
transponders will be available at 13°E in both the Ku- and the
Ka-bands strengthening EUTELSAT’s in-orbit sparing strategy.
Additional features will include multiple service areas and on-board
processing. Delivery of the first of the two satellites is planned
for the first quarter of 2004.
EUTELSAT is made up
of 48 member countries (parties). Each country has a signatory
(normally the incumbent national telecom provider) which owns a
share of the organization proportional to its usage of the Eutelsat
system. EUTELSAT will be privatized on July 2, 2001.
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