[Satellite Today – 2-21-08] Steve Maine has been named CEO of the joint venture created by Eutelsat and SES Astra to provide mobile satellite services, the two companies announced Feb. 21.
    The joint venture, dubbed Solaris, will commercialize satellite infrastructure in Europe for broadcasting video, radio and data to mobile devices and vehicle receivers as well as a range of interactive mobile services. The service will be operated via an S-band payload on Eutelsat’s W2A satellite, which is scheduled for launch in early 2009.
    Maine’s primary background has been in the U.K. telecommunications industry, including positions at Kingston Communications and British Telecom. “I am convinced that this is the most innovative opportunity in Europe’s telecommunications and media marketplaces and I am very excited by the prospects for opening a new chapter in satellite communications in Europe,” Maine said.