[Satellite Today 04-09-09] Fransat, a free French digital terrestrial television (DTT) offer, will launch in June with a majority of the channels available via Eutelsat’s Atlantic Bird 3 satellite, Eutelsat announced April 8.
    Assembled by Eutelsat in the Fransat platform, the 18 channels will be available with no subscription fee to all homes equipped with a dish pointed towards Atlantic Bird 3 and a Fransat digital decoder and access card. The Fransat decoders will be produced by multiple suppliers. 
    In addition to the 18 standard-definition channels, Fransat will enable reception of four HD channels.
    “Eutelsat is demonstrating its ambition to accompany the transition to digital for all French homes and to pursue the universal service mission of the 5 degrees West neighborhood,” Giuliano Berretta, chairman and CEO of Eutelsat, said in a statement.