EUTELSAT APPROVES ATLANTIC BIRD 1...

Meeting in Rappallo, Italy, the Eutelsat Board recently approved the Atlantic Bird 1 satellite project. Built by Alenia Aerospazio, this new satellite, due for delivery during the second quarter of 2001, will be supplied to Eutelsat in the context of a long-term lease. Atlantic Bird 1 will enable Eutelsat to extend its geographic cover to North America and Southern Europe and strengthen its pre-eminent position over the continent of Europe. It will be fitted with 20 Ku band receivers and a beam covering Europe, North Africa and the Near East. Eutelsat is currently strengthening its Atlantic Gate mission by redeploying Eutelsat II-F2 to 12.5 degrees west, where it will join Eutelsat I-F5, in service in this position since February.The Atlantic Gate mission, will enable Eutelsat to respond to strong demand from intra-European business networks for access to the...