NEWS Two more Spacecom satellites will join AMOS-3 and AMOS-4 by 2012 The satellite operator is determined to become a global player, combining greater reach with tailored services suited to smaller television customers pacecom wants to 108MHz and four high power Ka- from the world’s satellite giants. S position itself as a global band transponders of 218MHz, Spacecom works in markets, and satellite operator over the with steerable beams, to market. with operators, that might be next five years, with the Ori Onn, Chief Operating considered too small by other ORI ONN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, construction of AMOS-4, Officer at Spacecom says AMOS-4 satellite operators, he says. SPACECOM scheduled for commercial service will enable his company to service AMOS-4 follows AMOS-3 in in 2012 and covering Southeast existing television customers the sequential naming given to the Asia, Central Asia and Africa, better, removing the need to sub- Spacecom fleet (AMOS-3 goes Amsterdam exhibition. The key representing a major step towards contract bandwidth when linking into commercial service next year) focus for the company will be the that ambition. The US$365 the Middle East and Europe with but Onn reveals that there will approaching AMOS-3 service million satellite will leave the Asia. The company will also target almost certainly be another entry and the commissioning of Israel-based company with 80 per new customers across Asia who launch – and probably two – in AMOS-4, which was announced between these two platforms. in July. “AMOS-3 will replace AMOS-1 Onn says Spacecom has not and we will migrate services from decided yet where AMOS-3’s AMOS-1 beginning around Q2, steerable beam will be targeted. 2008,” he says. “AMOS-4 is Options include East Africa, scheduled for 2012 and our Southern Africa, East Europe and ambition is definitely to have five Russia, Latin America, USA (east satellites by then operating in coast) and the British Isles. The commercial service.” satellite already includes a fixed Onn would not say where the ‘Atlantic bridge’ beam joining other satellites would be targeted Europe and the Middle East with but says Spacecom is trying to the US. identify entry customers for them. AMOS-4 will be located at an Spacecom will have much to orbital slot somewhere between talk about at this year’s IBC as a 64 and 76 degrees East. result. AMOS-3 is due to launch in Spacecom’s President and CEO, the first quarter next year, co- David Pollack, says: “By operating locating with AMOS-2 at the a network of satellites with AMOS- cent coverage of the world’s want to distribute content into the company’s 4 degrees West orbital 4 as an integral element, we will population. After pre-sold capacity emerging markets of central and slot, bringing significant back-up fulfill our long-term objective to is taken into account (the Israeli eastern Europe. capabilities and service reliability become a dominant player in the government has signed a Onn says Spacecom provides for its distribution, contribution global satellite communications significant pre-launch deal for cost-effective and tailor-made and DTH customers. Half the market. Our growth strategy services over the lifespan of solutions for companies looking to capacity of AMOS-3 is committed includes expanding significantly AMOS-4), Spacecom has eight distribute content and claims this already and Onn is hoping to talk through operations in existing and Ku-band transponders of flexibility sets the operator apart to more potential customers at the new markets.” OMNIBUS STRIP ADVERT.