Eutelsat
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Image:Eutelsat.png Eutelsat S.A. is a French corporation which operates 24 telecommunications satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Its initial purpose was to complete the European telephone network. It now makes most of its income by providing facilities for television and radio broadcasters.
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History
The European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Eutelsat) was formed provisionally in 1977. In 1979 the European Space Agency announced that it would launch 5 communications (European Communication Satellite series) satellites which, when in orbit, were to be transferred to and controlled by Eutelsat. The ECS satellites evolved from the Orbital Test Satellite programme (OTS). When delivered to Eutelsat they were renamed the Eutelsat-1 series.
Eutelsat achieved "permanent status" as an intergovernmental organisation in 1985 following the signing of a multi-lateral agreement.
Subsequent satellites are named in families; Eutelsat 2, Hot Bird, Eurobird, Eutelsat W, SESAT, Atlantic Bird, e-BIRD and Hispasat.
See also: Astra.
Incorporation
Eutelsat was incorporated in Paris as a private company, Eutelsat S.A. on July 2 2001. Many of the founding investors sold their stakes in Eutelsat in 2004, including British Telecom, France Télécom, Deutsche Telekom and Telecom Italia.
IPO
The IPO floatation of EUTELSAT is anticipated early in October 2005. It is expected that the IPO will raise €2.5 billion - €3 billion.