Eutelsat 8 West B will launch in 2015 carrying 40 operational Ku-band transponders along with 10 operational C-band transponders connecting Africa and South America. The operator also said it would redeploy its existing Ku-band satellite to 8 degrees West in 2013 to enable broadcasters to access the additional resources provided by Eutelsat 8 West B in advance.

“We want to ensure we are giving broadcasters the finest quality of service and headroom to grow their business. This new satellite program will further equip us to deliver the highest quality of service at a video neighborhood experiencing record demand for reaching TV homes across the Middle East and North Africa,” Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen said in a statement.  “We are also pleased to renew our confidence in Thales Alenia Space with this new order from their most state-of-the-art range of spacecraft.”