Azerspace-1/Africasat-1a Entered Full-Commercial Service

According to MEASAT, AZERSPACE-1/AFRICASAT-1a is ready to provide communications services to customers in Azerbaijan, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia as it has an advanced design and switching capabilities. The satellite provides Ku-band capacity over Europe and Central Asia, and Cband capacity over Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.The Azerbaijan commercial satellite operator's satellite has an expected service life of more than 15 years. AZERSPACE-1/AFRICASAT-1a is based on Orbital’s flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform and was launched aboard an Ariane 5 by Arianespace. The hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite generates approximately 5 kilowatts of payload power and carries 36 active transponders. It operates from an orbital location at 46° East Longitude through an arrangement between Azercosmos and MEASAT, which holds the rights to the orbital slot, as well.MEASAT's and Azercosmos's efforts to provide such very advanced technology aimed to support the latter's objectives of launching the first national satellite which is to cover not only the territory of Azerbaijan, but Central Asia and Europe as well. In the works are the replacement of MEASAT's AFRICASAT-1 satellite and the expansion of MEASAT's presence in place like Africa, the Middle East, Southern Europe and Southeast Asia.MEASAT's Chief Executive Officer, Paul Brown-Kenyon, said, “MEASAT will use the AFRICASAT-1a payload to offer a full suite of satellite solutions across key markets in Africa and the Middle East.”"With the AZERSPACE-1 payload, Azercosmos plans to deliver high-quality and reliable information and communications services not only to customers in Azerbaijan, but also to Central Asia and Europe, as well as parts of Africa and the Middle East," stated MEASAT's press release.About AzercosmosIncorporated in 2010, Azercosmos is the premier satellite operator in both Azerbaijan and Caucasus. It provides satellite-delivered communication services and satellite platforms to broadcasting, broadband and government customers.Azercosmos positions itself mainly as an operator with real presence in the region. It offers services in neighboring countries and neglected emerging markets, with a visible competitive advantage that stems mainly from its flexible transaction costs and common language with the principal players in the regional markets.About MEASATMEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to leading international broadcasters, DTH platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across six (6) satellites, the company provides satellite services to over 150 countries representing 80% of the world’s population across Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.