Mobile satellite service plans 2009 launch

SES Astra and Eutelsat are planning to provide broadcast services for mobile operators in the second quarter of next year.

Solaris Mobile, a joint venture between the two firms, this week announced it would establish headquarters to handle commercial and business development operations in Dublin.

It is developing infrastructure to provide television, radio and two-way communication services to commercial mobile operators using the S-band frequencies between 2.0 and 2.2GHz.

A new satellite, Eutelsat W2A, will be launched to 10 degrees East early next year and transmit in spot beams on six European linguistic areas, including Britain.

"The infrastructure will enable the deployment of a fully-fledged TV experience on mobile devices on an 'anytime and anywhere' basis and, for the first time, will allow satellite infrastructure to compete and complement with existing terrestrial networks for the provision of broadcasting services to the mobile sector," said a statement.

Solaris chief executive Steve Maine added: "Solaris Mobile is of major strategic importance to both our parent companies as it seeks a first mover advantage within the European market for the commercial delivery of TV and other broadband services to mobile phones and other portable devices via satellite. It also represents the first joint venture between the two companies who are combining their industry-leading experience and expertise in data and video broadcasting, as well as in two-way services, to support Solaris Mobile."