The satellite will be named THOR 7 and is expected to be ready for launch towards the end of 2013, with a lifespan of 15-20 years. The satellite is intended to provide capacity for broadcasting requirements within Central and Eastern Europe and additional capacity for maritime services. THOR 7 will join the established THOR fleet at the orbital position of 1 degree West, which already serves nearly 17 million cable and satellite households throughout Europe. It will provide much-needed growth capacity for TV services, specifically in Central and Eastern Europe, where HDTV is fast becoming accepted and 3DTV is expected to play a key role in the future. The new satellite will also be equipped with additional capacity that allows Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) to strengthen its maritime service proposition, providing data communication services in areas including the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.
“Telenor Satellite Broadcasting is now selecting a suitable satellite manufacturer and expects to award the contract in Q2 2011” said Cato Halsaa, Vice President and CEO of TSBc. “THOR 7 represents both an expansion path supporting our customer’s requirements within these growth markets and a commitment to the satellite sector. I am confident that the role of satellite’s will continue to play an important function as a distributor of content and can only be strengthened as communication applications expand the digital revolution.” Telenor’s new satellite will be equipped with Ku- and Ka-band capacity for the provision of broadcasting services and data communications. The satellite will be positioned at 1 degree West, where TSBc's recent replacement and expansion satellites, THOR 5 and THOR 6 are already stationed.