Eutelsat’s GE-23 acquisition to boost Asia Pacific coverage

Eutelsat is strengthening its activities in the Asia Pacific region with the acquisition of GE Capital’s GE-23 satellite for US$228 million (€180 million).

GE-23 was launched in December 2005 and has an expected useful life of 15 years. From its location in geostationary orbit at 172°E, the satellite offers coverage over the Asia-Pacific region via a payload of 20 Ku-band transponders accessing five interconnecting beams and 18 C-band transponders connected to a trans-Pacific beam. The satellite will be integrated into the Eutelsat Communications fleet and renamed Eutelsat 172A.