Telenor Contracts Thales Alenia Space to Build Thor 6
A Thor 5 satellite.
OSLO, Norway, April 25, 2007 - Satnews Daily - Telenor has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for the construction and delivery of a new geosynchronous communications satellite, Thor 6. The new bird will provide high power direct-to-home (DTH) television services from the 1° West orbital position.
Thor 6 will be based on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000B2 platform. It will be fitted with 36 active Ku-band transponders. Sixteen transponders will point to the Nordic countries while 20 transponders will be positioned to serve the growing broadcasting demands within Central and Eastern Europe.
With the launch of Thor 6, the 1° West will have a total of 71 transponders providing capacity to facilitate both organic growth and expansion for Telenor. Thor 6 is the final satellite in Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's replacement program for Thor 2 and Thor 3. Thor 6 will replace Thor 3, which is set to retire in 2010.
The order calls for a 26 month in-orbit delivery schedule, and is expected to start services in summer 2009 with an operational lifetime of 15 years. The expected investment for Thor 6 is $219 million, including the spacecraft, launch services and insurance.
Cato Halsaa, managing director of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, said Telenor is very pleased to be working with Thales Alenia Space to provide the replacement of Thor 3. “Telenor has developed 1° West into a prime broadcasting position for the Nordic region and aims to make it the leading platform choice within Central and Eastern Europe. With the launch of Thor 5 and Thor 6, I am confident that Telenor has an excellent satellite fleet, and the necessary high power capacity to support further growth."
Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, construction and test activities for Thor 6. Pascale Sourisse, president and CEO, Thales Alenia Space, said they are extremely gratified that an important operator such as Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS has turned to Thales Alenia Space to provide a new powerful satellite.
This contract heralds a new phase of cooperation with Telenor Satellite Broadcasting and is an additional recognition of the reliability of the Spacebus 4000 family. She noted that this contract also marks the new Thales Alenia Space's first satellite ordered.
Telenor Satellite Broadcasting provides television broadcasting services for distribution, contribution and occasional applications to all Nordic broadcasters and many other broadcasters throughout Europe, using its hybrid network consisting of satellites, terrestrial circuits, international teleports and remote earth stations.
