Eutelsat 117 West B in commercial service

Eutelsat 117 West B was launched by SpaceX

Eutelsat’s 117 West B satellite has entered into full commercial service, providing coverage over Latin America.

The second all-electric satellite in Eutelsat’s fleet is designed to complement the 2013-launched Eutelsat 117 West A, creating a multi-satellite neighbourhood at 117° West, which is already used by Millicom’s Tigo Star, Stargroup and Televisa.

The satellite, which is equipped with 48 Ku-band transponders connected to four beams, will also provide services to telecom operators and government service providers in Latin America.

The satellite will provide coverage over Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean region and the ‘Southern Cone’ – the southernmost areas of South America.

Eutelsat launched the Eutelsat 117 West B satellite from SpaceX’s Space Launch Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida last June. It has now gone into service following a seven-month period of ‘orbit-raising’.