Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and NOORSAT Co. W.L.L have signed a multi-year contract for the lease of three additional transponders on Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD 4A satellite. Four years from the launch of its first broadcasting services, NOORSAT, which is based in Manama, Bahrain, has emerged as one of the three leading players for satellite TV services in the Middle East. Its broadcasting activities now comprise delivery of over 170 FTA and subscription channels, including some channels of the recently merged Orbit and Showtime platforms.

NOORSAT's services operate principally at Eutelsat's two major video neighborhoods addressing the Middle East: 7 degrees West, occupied by ATLANTIC BIRD 4A, and 25.5 degrees East, occupied by EUROBIRD 2. NOORSAT's business portfolio also covers the provision of corporate networks and Internet access services via Eutelsat's W6 and ATLANTIC BIRD 2 satellites, with the latter also used to broadcast Arabic and international channels to Arab expatriates living in Europe. In addition, NOORSAT offers a range of transmit services on capacity leased from Eutelsat, uplinked from its teleports in Manama, Lavrio (Greece) and Rome and other partner teleports in order to provide turnkey broadcasting services to client broadcasters.