In September 2011 satellite operator Intelsat ordered two new satellites at Space Systems/Loral (SS/L).  The two high-power hybrid C- and Ku-band satellites, called Intelsat-30 and Intelsat-31 or DLA-1 and DLA-2, would provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service in Latin America.

The two satellites are designed to provide service for a minimum of 15 years and based on the decades proven SS/L’s 1300 platform. Each satellite features 10 C-band transponders for Intelsat’s own use for expanding its business in the growing Latin American market. Both satellites complete Ku-band capacity are leased to DirecTV Latin America, a DTH digital television services operator in Latin America.

Intelsat-31 satellite was successfully launched on June 9^th, 2016 on a Proton M rocket booster operated by launch operator ILS from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazachstan.