Intelsat’s governmental services division (IGS) has won a major contract to supply TV to the US armed forces serving overseas. The deal sees Intelsat having to supply satellite connectivity to the USA’s Armed Forces Radio & TV Service (AFTRS).

“The AFRTS provides multi-channel, broadcast-quality radio and television programmes to military forces and their families stationed outside of the United States and aboard Navy ships at sea,” says a statement. “Intelsat General will provide the satellite capacity and terrestrial infrastructure via the IntelsatONE network in support of the service, as well as additional internal information programming offered by the Department of Defense. The one-year contract and six one-year options have a total potential value of $145 million over the seven years.”

“The programmes carried by AFRTS are key to maintaining the morale of our troops stationed around the world,” said Kay Sears, President of Intelsat General. “A global satellite and terrestrial communications network is essential to delivering this programming to the remote locations where military forces serve.”

Intelsat General is providing an end-to-end solution for four separate AFRTS services around the globe, including installation of new terminal equipment and terminal operations and maintenance at a new AFRTS facility at Ft. Meade, Maryland. IGC will help AFRTS reduce the number of entry points and fibre connections for its services and maximise efficiencies in use of the satellites. AFRTS uses seven satellites and six data entry points to carry television and stereo audio services to over 1,000 outlets in more than 175 countries and US territories and to US Navy ships.

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