SES S.A has announced it signed a multi-year agreement with EchoStar Corporation to provide direct-to-home (DTH) services in Mexico and the U.S.

 

The new agreement will facilitate direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV service that would deliver a wide variety of audio and video channels in digital format delivered via an EchoStar-provided high powered direct broadcast satellite - allowing the service to reach every corner of the country.

 

EchoStar Corporation is a pioneer in equipment; digital broadcast operations, and satellite services worldwide. It has 25 years of experience designing, developing and distributing advanced set-top boxes and related products for pay television providers.

 

Dish Mexico, an EchoStar’s joint venture will use the QuetzSat-1 satellite capacity to provide direct-to-home (DTH) services in Mexico and US. QuetzSat-1, a Ku-band BSS satellite planned for launch into the orbital location of 77 degrees West will be procured by SES (News - Alert) to facilitate this service.

 

Mexican government granted the rights to use this orbital position for direct broadcast services to QuetzSat S. de R.L. de C.V. in 2005., an Mexican-controlled partnership that includes principals of Grupo Medcom and SES Global South America Holdings, S.L., a company held 100 percent by SES.

Clemente Serna Alvear, Chairman of QuetzSat, said, “This agreement builds on our 2005 winning bid for the Ku-Band DBS frequencies at 77 degrees West Longitude. It is an important step in offering greater choice and service quality for television households in both Mexico and the U.S.”

“This long-term agreement exemplifies our strategy to develop wholesale DTH platforms to maximize the range of entertainment and information services available to homes in markets around the world,” said Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES. “It also demonstrates our commitment to develop prime DTH spectrum in the Americas.”

SES is popular for its Direct-to-Home transmission (DTH), free-to-air broadcast neighborhoods, digital broadcasting, HDTV and IPTV (News - Alert). In 2007 SES was named ‘Satellite Operator of the Year’ and its CEO, Romain Bausch is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including ‘Satellite Executive of the Year’ in 2002.

SES owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES (News - Alert) which provides global coverage and connectivity. Company provides satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 39 satellites in 26 orbital positions around the globe.