Artist’s rendition of Eutelsat 8 West B. Photo: Thales Alenia Space

[Via Satellite 10-07-2015] Eutelsat Communications’ new satellite, Eutelsat 8 West B, is online and actively broadcasting TV channels to more than 52 million homes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Launched on Aug. 20 by an Ariane 5 rocket, the new high-power satellite is collocated with a constellation of satellites operated by Eutelsat and Nilesat at the 7/8 degrees west neighborhood.

Eutelsat worked with its customers to switch more than 210 television channels to the new satellite the night of Sept. 30 from two other Eutelsat satellites located at 7/8 degrees West. Both satellites, Eutelsat 8 West A and Eutelsat 8 West C, are now being relocated to 12.5 degrees west and 33 degrees east, respectively. The additional capacity on Eutelsat 8 West B will enable more than 100 further channels to be accommodated. The satellite also introduces C-band capacity to 7/8 degrees west, connected to footprints covering the African continent and reaching west to South America.