Nilesat explains 301 craft’s role
September 29, 2021
By Chris Forrester
The Egyptian Satellite Company’s is already serving some 56 million homes and 270 million viewers across the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf regions. With the launch next year of Nilesat 301 it is intent on adding more homes and viewers from Africa.
“Being the mainstay satellite of the Arab world, Nilesat has always been present in each and every home, this fact has made an imperative commitment to deliver an unrivalled top-class service from our facilities in Cairo by the highest experienced team,” says CEO Ahmed Anis.
Nilesat’s existing fleet operates from 7 degrees West (while Eutelsat’s adjacent craft operate officially from the same positions but with their own frequencies).
There have been comments from Eutelsat which suggest that the close cooperation between Eutelsat and Nilesat might be coming to an end. Eutelsat’s upcoming results statement on October 27th might update the market on this relationship.
Nilesat 301 is due to be in position in Q2/2022 and will be launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX. Nilesat 201, launched in August 2010, is still good for operations until 2028.
“We look into the future with many strategic partnerships among our fellow African countries, and for this Nilesat has built its vision towards its natural expansion in the sub-Saharan Africa with the new Nilesat 301 satellite. Nilesat 301’s design reflects the aim to introduce our services into the African market while upgrading our current and future services in the MENA region,” adds Anis.
Key additional potential from Nilesat 301 includes “providing Ka-band over Egypt,” says the company, as well as adding extra capacity for high-definition broadcasts as well as 4K. The 301 will carry 6 Ka-band transponders (for broadband) and 32 Ku-transponders.
Dedicated transponder beams will cover sub-Saharan Africa and also the Nile Basin of Ethiopia, Kenya, the Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia and the DR of Congo.