SES successfully launches Astra 2F for UK and Ireland

SES has successfully launched its Astra 2F satellite, which will serve the 28.2°/28.5° East position for the UK and Ireland.

The Astrium-build satellite is the first of three that will provide replacement and growth capacity for the UK and Ireland. From October next year they will also use spectrum granted by Media Broadcast following a 2005 agreement.

The Astra 2F satellite also provides Ku-band capacity for pan-European services and for sub-Saharan Africa. A Ka-band payload will also allow SES Broadband Services to support download speeds of up to 20Mps.