Horizon Satellite Services, a Dubai-based leader in satellite services for the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, announced that it has signed new agreements with Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications, a global satellite operating organization. The new agreements will add to the ones signed between them in 2003, and help Horizon tap into new markets, as well as extend to 15 transponders based on Eutelsat’s W5 satellite. Horizon also provides capacity services for Eutelsat’s W2A, W3A, W6, SESAT II, IS-12, IS-1002 and EUROBIRD-2 and 4A satellites.

Horizon Satellite Services leverages the V-SAT network architecture Multi-Frequency Time Division Multiple Access network, as well as DAMA, SCPC, DVB –S and S2. Horizon provides a wide range of tailored solutions and services including Tier-one Internet backbone connectivity for Internet service providers, IP trunking, satellite-based ISDN solutions, shared service broadband solutions, WAN for data transfer, VoIP handling services, private networks, broadcasting, point-to-point using a fleet of satellites, and GSM backhauling, which creates a network backbone and backup for network failure.

Eutelsat Communications supplies fixed satellite services including securing and interconnecting networks and broadcasting data, mobile services, and broadband services for telecom, maritime, space and audio-visual industries. It manages a fleet of 26 satellites which provides flexible and high performing services to more than 150 countries, and nearly 500 new channels have been launched on its satellites this year alone.

In a press release, Managing Director of Horizon Satellite Services, Hisham A. Ansari, said, "From the outset, Horizon Satellite Services selected Eutelsat satellites to provide Internet backbone connectivity for ISPs operating in the Middle East and Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Iraq. We are excited by the prospects of Eutelsat's future KA-SAT, W5A and W6A satellites so we can continue to respond to the tremendous demand for broadband connectivity in our principal target locations."

Chief Commercial Officer at Eutelsat, Andrew Wallace, added, "Satellites offer a compelling solution for cost-effective direct access to the Internet backbone, cutting through geographic barriers and local infrastructure. We are delighted to further consolidate our relationship with Horizon Satellite Services, whose commitment to quality and innovation is a hallmark for satellite-based IP services. This new capacity contract anchors our presence in regions offering some of the most exciting opportunities for Eutelsat's ongoing development."