[Satellite Today – 5-13-08] Intelsat Ltd. has sold transponder capacity on the Intelsat 15 satellite to Romantis GmbH, Intelsat announced May 13.
    Romantis expects to use the Ku-band transponder services to set up a universal satellite multimedia platform that will support applications such as direct-to-home broadcasting, IPTV service platforms, digital video broadcasting-satellite-second generation standard- and high-definition distribution networks as well as broadband services.
    Romantis also plans to expand its services into the Middle East, the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of 11 former Soviet republics.
    “The Intelsat 15 Ku-band coverage is perfectly designed to serve the regions we operate in with a single uniform high-power beam,” Kai Lauterujng, managing director of Romantis, said in a statement. “Through this agreement we have secured capacity that will enable us to substantially expand our services and respond to our customers’ strong demand for premium broadcast and broadband services.”