Paul O'Sullivan, the chief operating officer of Optus, said the decision to launch the new satellites followed higher-than-expected demand for access to the C1 satellite, which was launched in June this year. The two new D-Series satellites will be built by US company Orbital Services. They will replace Optus' B1 satellite - in use since 1992 - and B3 satellite, which was launched in 1994.
"The launches will ensure the continuity and growth of our satellite business in the Australian and New Zealand markets," said O'Sullivan. "A significant percentage of capacity on the D-Series satellites has been pre-sold, with Optus having signed a 15 year deal with Sky TV to provide subscription TV services to its New Zealand customers."
"The B-Series have been key to Optus' and Australia's success in satellite communications," said O'Sullivan. "The purchase of D-Series satellites, together with the securing of key broadband customers, such as Sky TV NZ and Foxtel, provides the platform for Optus' satellite business to extend beyond the year 2020."
In addition to pay-TV, the satellites will be used to provide two-way voice and data communication services to areas in and around Australia and New Zealand, particularly those that don't have access to terrestrial services.
