(1 February 2010 5:40 pm)

MUMBAI: Asiasat has announced that Spacecom, the operator of the Amos satellite fleet, has signed a contract for the exclusive use of Asiasat 2, an Asiasat satellite formerly located at 100.5 degrees East, and has now been relocated to 17 degrees East and renamed Amos-5i.

Amos-5i provides high powered C-band and Ku-band capacity for a variety of satellite communications services to the African continent until AMOS-5 is launched and commences service in mid 2011. Spacecom has also contracted AsiaSat to provide satellite operation and Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) services for Amos-5i.

Spacecom president, CEO David Pollack said, “Amos 5i provides us an excellent opportunity to start developing our new orbital slot of 17 degrees East before the new satellite Amos-5 is launched. Asiasat is Asia’s most reputable satellite operator for service quality and reliability, we are glad to have AsiaSat as our partner who offers us quality satellite capacity that enhances our fleet coverage over the Middle East, Europe and Africa, and reliable satellite operation service for AMOS-5i.”

Asiasat CEO Peter Jackson says, “We are very proud that AsiaSat 2 has successfully completed over 13 years of service life in Asia and will continue to serve other parts of the world at a new orbital location. Asiasat 2 is a very valuable asset for the company. We anticipate that Asiasat 2’s quality and reliable service will continue to be of great value to Spacecom and its users.”