SES AMERICOM's AMC-11 Satellite Completes
In-Orbit Testing
State-of-the-art spacecraft set to join AMC-10 later this year in support of HD-PRIMETM, America’s Only Two-Satellite HD Cable Neighborhood
July 13, 2004 - Princeton, NJ - With in-orbit testing recently completed aboard its AMC-11 satellite, SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), today announced the A2100 model spacecraft is preparing to join its identical twin in support of HD-PRIMETM, the first and only two-satellite neighborhood capable of delivering HD to cable headends and consumers nationwide. The company launched AMC-11 in May to provide its cable programming customers with redundancy protection and a seamless replacement of the current satellite, prior to AMC-11’s planned service commencement in November.
A growing list of top programmers are already scheduled to distribute dozens of standard and high definition channels over AMC-11, the second SES AMERICOM satellite to support the HD-PRIME neighborhood, which initiated service two months ago this week aboard AMC-10. The impressive roster of programmers distributing, and slated to distribute, a rich schedule of entertaining and informative channels aboard HD-PRIMETM include Viacom, Discovery Communications, E! Networks, A&E Television Networks, Hallmark Channel, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel.
Launched on an Atlas IIAS on May 19, AMC-11 will operate from 131 degrees west longitude beginning this fall. Currently located at 146 degrees WL, AMC-11’s initial payload, color bar, SSPAs, and receiver testing indicate great performance. Bus testing directed and monitored from SES AMERICOM’s earth station in Vernon Valley, New Jersey together with payload testing from the company’s South Mountain facility also point to a stellar start for the state-of-the-art satellite, which will be distributing some of the country’s most popular programming to more than 80 million homes.
"AMC-11 represents SES AMERICOM’s continuous innovation and investment in meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of our vast range of customers who have signed up to distribute their programming using HD-PRIMETM, the most reliable and advanced cable delivery platform in the U.S.," said Dean Olmstead, president and CEO, SES AMERICOM. "When AMC-11 joins AMC-10 by initiating service later this year, the industry and virtually every cable household will be served like never before, with the reliability and household penetration that only HD-PRIMETM can deliver."
The Satellites and HD-PRIME
AMC-10 and AMC-11 are all-C-band satellites, with respective operating orbital slots of 135 degrees west longitude and 131 degrees west longitude. The two A2100 spacecraft have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering almost a 20% increase in power over their predecessors, Satcom C-3 and Satcom C-4. In addition, a higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7, currently operating at 137 degrees west longitude, will protect the cable programming services.
About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on four satellites covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions. SES AMERICOM key customers include ABC Radio Networks, Antrix Corporation Ltd., AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Connexion by Boeing, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, EchoStar, Fox, Gannett, TV Guide/Gemstar, Globecomm Systems, HBO, Hughes Network Systems, JSAT, Korea Telecom, MCI, NBC, The New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, PCCW, SCC, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner, Unitel Hellas, Viacom, and various agencies of the U.S. government.
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For more information, contact:
Monica Morgan, SES AMERICOM + 1-609-987-4143,
Paul Sims, Sims Communications (for SES AMERICOM) +1- 678-576-6126,
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