[Satellite Today 06-16-09] Eurovision and Eutelsat signed a pair of contracts for capacity on Eutelsat’s W2A satellite, the companies announced July 15.

    Eurovision will use Ku-band capacity on the satellite to consolidate the European part of its network using W2A at 10 degrees Eat and W3A at 7 degrees East.

    The W2A spacecraft also will be used for Eurovision’s first permanent lease of C-band capacity to facilitate exchanges between Europe and Africa. This full-time multi-year lease replaces temporary C-band capacity previously leased on satellites operated by other companies and enables Eurovision to pursue its objective to develop a platform for contribution links between the two continents. The capacity was initiated with the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, which runs from June 14-28. The capacity also will be used for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.