[Satellite TODAY Insider 11-29-10] Australian satellite communications provider NewSat will launch a second satellite, Jabiru-2, in early 2013 and provide 216 megahertz of Ku-band capacity over Australian territories PNG and Timor Leste, NewSat announced Nov. 25.
    In a statement to Satellite TODAY Insider, NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine said the addition of Jabiru-2 puts the operator in a strong position to develop and grow as Jabiru-1, announced in November 2009, is expected to generate more than $1.5 billion of revenue due to pre-sold capacity. 
    “NewSat saw stronger-than-expected customer demand for Jabiru-1 capacity, which prompted our decision to acquire further payload on the smaller Jabiru-2,” said Ballintine. “Jabiru-2 has the potential to generate over $125 million of highly profitable revenue over its 15-year life span as we expect Jabiru-2 to be fully committed by the end of the first quarter 2011.”
According to Ballintine, NewSat will not require financing for Jabiru-2, and the satellite will occupy the same orbital slot as Jabiru-1 satellite, which also will reach orbit in 2013. With more than 6 gigahertz of capacity, Jabiru-1 will provide Ka-band spot beams covering the Middle East and North Africa as well as high power Ku-band over Vietnam, Cambodia, and parts of South East Asia.
    Ballintine also confirmed that his company is in negotiations to purchase additional teleports and orbital slots. “NewSat’s core business is strong and profitable. Its teleport assets are regarded as amongst the best in the world, and with Jabiru-1 and 2 planned for launch in 2013, NewSat is spectacularly placed to deliver significant future growth and shareholder value. These developments bring us closer to becoming a global satellite leader, while also bringing Australia a step closer to its inaugural space program,” he said.

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