SES Astra Teleport in Luxembourg.

SES Astra Teleport in Luxembourg

The SES Astra Teleport is located in Betzdorf in Luxembourg. SES is the second-largest Satellite Operator in the world.

SES is the world’s second-largest telecommunications satellite operator by revenue and operates a fleet of more than 55 satellites able to reach 99% of the World’s population. These satellites provide satellite communication services to businesses and government agencies, and broadcast TV and radio channels to audiences worldwide. SES satellites carry more than 6,200 TV channels (including over 1.800 in HD) and more than 40 direct-to-home (DTH) platforms across the world. SES satellites reach almost 300 million TV homes worldwide.

Originally founded in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites, the company was renamed SES Global in 2001 and in 2006 renamed SES. SES S.A. is based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg and is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris.

SES is one of the global market leaders of satellite communications services and a pioneer in many important industry developments. In 2007 SES was named ‘Satellite Operator of the Year’^.

SES S.A. was formed on the initiative and support of the Luxembourg Government in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites (SES). The Luxembourg State remains a major shareholder. In 1988, as Europe’s first private satellite operator, SES launched its first satellite, Astra-1A, to the 19.2° East orbital position. Rupert Murdoch’s Sky TV, along with German broadcasters Pro7, Sat.1, and RTL were among Astra’s first major customers.

In 1990 Astra was broadcasting to 14 million cable and DTH viewers. SES was the pioneer of ‘co-location’ by which several satellites share the same orbital position to provide backup and increase the number of channels available to a fixed receiving dish, creating what became known as a ‘satellite neighborhood’. Astra’s prime slot, 19.2° East, saw as many as eight satellites sharing the position simultaneously and helped to build up Astra’s reputation for reliability.