[17.01.2012] Magtisat - First DTH TV Platform In Georgia Starts Via ASTRA
17.01.2012
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Tbilisi/Luxembourg, January 17, 2012 - SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and MagtiCom, the Georgian mobile and telecommunication company, announce the launch of MagtiSat, Georgia's first domestic direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platform, via ASTRA. The pay-TV offer will be available beginning January 23, 2012. SES owns and operates the ASTRA satellites.
MagtiSat will offer 75 TV channels that include the most popular standard definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) channels. At the initial stage, MagtiCom will offer three packages: start, basic and HD. The packages will be available throughout Georgia from the first day of broadcasting.
Based on a long-term agreement between SES and MagtiCom, several ASTRA transponders at its 31.5 degrees East orbital position will be utilised for Georgia's first domestic DTH television platform. The 31.5 degrees East orbital position offers excellent growth opportunities for broadcasters in Central Eastern Europe and can accommodate the rising demand for SD and HD services in the region. The operator will broadcast in DVB-S2 standard and MPEG-4 encoding.
Ferenc Szelenyi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Europe, at SES, said: 'SES is pleased that MagtiCom has chosen ASTRA to help launch the first DTH platform to offer satellite digital television throughout Georgia. The success of MagtiCom in the telecommunications industry combined with our experience in DTH broadcasting will boost the growth of pay-TV in the market.'
David Lee, General Director of MagtiCom, said: 'By launching MagtiSat, MagtiCom will accelerate Georgia's switchover to digital TV broadcasting. Introducing a DTH platform is a unique opportunity for us to provide Georgian customers with high-standard digital TV broadcasting across the country. This launch is also important for the entire region, as it allows the population of the South Caucasus to enjoy a large and very attractive satellite TV offer.'
Source: http://www.ses.com