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1977-1989
The early yearsEutelsat is born out of an ambition to build a European industry in the manufacture, launch and operation of satellites.
The organisation first took shape in 1977 to operate the first generation of communications satellites ordered by the European Space Agency (ESA).
4Satellites launched-
1977
Creation of EutelsatThe creation of Eutelsat international organisation marks the beginning of Europe’s satellite communications services industry.
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1983
Beginning of the satellite television businessThe first satellite, EUTELSAT I-F1, was launched in 1983.
This was the beginning of the satellite television business with the first transmission of a satellite TV signal on a commercial European satellite.
The first analogue channels quickly took advantage of this new opportunity to broadcast to consumers equipped with first-generation reception equipment.
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1988
EUTELSAT I satellite fleetThree further satellites launched in this initial series, the final one in 1988.
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1990-2001
Growing upAfter the fall of the Berlin Wall, Eutelsat's original scope was transformed.
The organisation’s membership expanded eastwards from the early 1990s to include all Eastern European countries.
New satellites delivering higher capacity and wider geographic reach were launched during this period.
The satellite TV market rapidly expanded, pioneering the transition to digital in the middle of the decade which set the scene for the launch of multi-channel pay-TV platforms across Europe.
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1994
DVB-SFirst transmissions using the DVB-S standard.
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1995
Launch of HOTBIRD 1Eutelsat successfully developed the HOTBIRD constellation of high-power satellites at 13° East, enabling hundreds of television channels to be broadcast to millions of homes via cable networks and Direct-to-Home antennas.
Development of earth-brightness-temperature model to estimate uplink performance.
Launch by Viacom of the first commercial TV platform in DVB-MPEG.
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1996
Development of DiSEqCDiSEqC standard developed as a communication bus between satellite receivers and peripheral equipment using existing coaxial cables.
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1997
Facilitating dual-feed receptionMonoblock LNBs were developed for dual-feed reception.
1995 to 1997 also saw the development and standardisation of the DVB-IP standard
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2000
Europe’s first consumer internet service via satelliteLaunch of the first satellite with electrical propulsion for station-keeping (EUTELSAT 16C)
Maiden Atlas III rocket takes EUTELSAT 36A into space.
Launch of Europe’s first consumer internet service using satellite for downloads.
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2001-2010
Going global and going publicWith the liberalisation of the telecoms sector, Eutelsat transformed into a private company in July 2001 and went public in 2005. Eutelsat’s activities diversified rapidly in the 2000s to include internet and government services.
The broadcast business continued its expansion with the HOTBIRD concept of broadcast satellites replicated at other positions to address markets in Russia, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa.
Geographic reach continued to expand across Africa, Asia and the Americas. By the end of the decade, offices had been opened in key European centres as well as Asia and the Americas. Teleports in France and Italy were also built up to provide broadcast and broadband services.
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2002
First satellite with digital onboard multiplexingHOTBIRD 13A, the first satellite with digital onboard multiplexing (Skyplex) and switching between Ku and Ka-bands goes into space on the maiden Atlas V flight.
Inaugural Delta 4 rocket orbits EUTELSAT 70A.
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2003
Frequency reuseEUTELSAT 33A satellite launched with four regional Ku-band beams for high frequency reuse.
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2004
Europe’s first HDTV demo channel in MPEG-2 DVB-SLaunch of first satellite with Lithium-Ion batteries (EUTELSAT 7A).
Launch on HOTBIRD of Europe’s first demonstration HDTV channel in MPEG-2 DVB-S.
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2006
DVB-SHBetween 2006 and 2008, the DVB-SH standard for Direct Satellite Mobile Broadcasting was developed.
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2009
Launch of FRANSATEUTELSAT 36B satellite carries first on-board multiplexing capability to increase uplink service area.
Launch of FRANSAT, a service operated on Eutelsat’s ATLANTIC BIRD 3 satellite giving satellite access in metropolitan France to all French free DTT channels
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2010-today
Market leadership and an exciting futureToday, Eutelsat is one of the most innovative operators in the commercial satellite business. With the acquisition of Satmex in January 2014, our Group now offers capacity on 34 satellites that provide premium coverage of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
Our support team of over 1,000 industry professionals from 46 countries are located at offices and teleports around the world, ensuring we are close to our clients to deliver the highest quality of service.
Our continued growth is the consequence of a strategy focused on three key pillars: consolidating our leadership position in Europe and expanding our presence across the globe; targeting the development of digital services in the video market as well as in data and connectivity markets; and investing and innovating to renew our fleet of satellites and develop new applications and services.
From modest beginnings 40 years ago, Eutelsat sits at the heart of a global satellite industry and vibrant digital economy.
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2010
Europe’s first High Throughput SatelliteKA-SAT, Europe’s first High Throughput Satellite, the highest capacity commercial satellite ever built, goes into space.
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2011
Quality assurance of satellite transmissionsCarrier ID initiated for quality assurance of DVB satellite transmissions.
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2012
Improving signal integrityEUTELSAT 8 West B - the first satellite ordered with improved signal integrity, optimised use of electrical power and frequency agile command receivers.
FRANSAT (Eutelsat’s French DTT platform via satellite) launches an integrated satellite receiver and DTT module in flat-screen displays.
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2013
SmartLNB and Ultra HDEutelsat’s SmartLNB for Direct-to-Home antenna opens the door for broadcasters to operate linear television and connected TV services directly by satellite.
Eutelsat launches first demonstration Ultra HD channel.
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2014
Europe's first Ultra HD demo channel in HEVCEutelsat steps up Ultra HD activity launching Europe’s first demo channel encoded in HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), broadcasting at 50 fps with 10-bit colour depth (one billion colours – HEVC Main 10 profile).
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2015
First of a new generation of software-controlled satellitesWorld-first all-electric satellite, EUTELSAT 115 West B, enters service in late 2015.
Eutelsat QUANTUM contract signed - the first of a new generation of software-controlled satellite, developed through a PPP with ESA and Airbus Defence and Space.
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2016
Enhanced viewing solutionsEutelsat launches SmartBeam, the satellite solution for multiscreen TV delivery to smartphones and tablets.
Launch of Sat.tv smart EPG for HOTBIRD viewers.
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2017
New HTS payload for Asia PacificEUTELSAT 172B satellite goes live at 172° East, embarking a new HTS payload for in-flight connectivity for users in a vast region stretching from the West coast of the Americas to Asia, Oceania and across the Pacific.
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2018
New-generation VHTS ordered for EuropeOrder of KONNECT VHTS, a new-generation satellite, aimed at serving high-speed internet, in-flight connectivity and government markets with fibre-like services from 2021 onwards in Europe and the Mediterranean region.
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2019
LEO satellite fleet for IoTEutelsat orders four nanosatellites to kick off its ELO constellation of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites dedicated to the Internet of Things.
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