History

SES, now operating as SES ASTRA in Europe, pioneered direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting in Europe and has rapidly established itself as Europe’s leading DTH satellite system. It is used by a wide range of broadcast and multimedia companies to deliver broadcast and broadband services to 109 million households.

2007 – SES GLOBAL is renamed into SES and buys back GE’s remaining 19.5% stake in the company. SES ASTRA starts its interactive broadband service ASTRA2Connect and successfully launched ASTRA 1L.

2006 – SES ASTRA increases its shareholding in ND SatCom to 100% thereby significantly strengthening its government and service business. SES ASTRA also launches entavio, a new service provider that offers a digital satellite infrastructure to broadcasters and consumers in Germany. One of the main advantages of entavio is the addressability which allows broadcasters to offer a wide range of individualized business models.

2005 – SES ASTRA completes the acquisition of 100% of DPC Digital Playout Center GmbH, later renamed APS (ASTRA Platform Services). APS services include play-out, multiplexing, encryption and uplinks enhancing SES ASTRA’s position in the digital broadcasting value chain. A new subsidiary dedicated to the provision of technical services to satellite professionals is created through the incorporation of SES ASTRA TechCom S.A.

2004 – SES ASTRA spearheads the introduction of High Definition Television in Europe by transmitting the first European HDTV channel, Euro1080. Technical specifications for HDTV broadcasts are agreed by SES ASTRA and industry partners from all over Europe in the HDTV Forum.

2003 – SES GLOBAL increases its stake in SES SIRIUS to 75%. The increased stake leads to enhanced synergies through organisational integration with SES ASTRA.

2002 – SATLYNX is formed out of a joint venture between SES GLOBAL, Gilat Satellite Networksand Alcatel Space/Skybridge. It provides two-way satellite broadband communication services to companies, home users and small office/home office customers throughout Europe. With the launch of ASTRA 1D, SES ASTRA opens a third orbital position at 23.5° East.

2001 – SES GLOBAL is established following the acquisition of GE AMERICOM, creating two new operating companies: SES ASTRA for Europe and SES AMERICOM for the Americas. SES GLOBAL and its wholly owned operating companies and partners operate a worldwide fleet of 41 active satellites, the largest in the world.

2000 – SES acquires a 50% stake in Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB), later renamed SES SIRIUS, operator of the Sirius satellite system, and a 19.99% holding in the Embratel Satellite Division, operator of Star One.

1999 – SES expands into Asia with the acquisition of a 34.13% stake in Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holding (AsiaSat).

1998 – SES opens a second orbital position at 28.2º East for UK digital services and goes public on the Luxembourg and Frankfurt stock exchanges.

1997 – SES sets the multimedia standard for Europe with the ASTRA broadband technology platform and creates new possibilities for multimedia satellite services.

1996 – SES pioneers digital transmissions with the launch of ASTRA 1E and commercial digital TV.

1991 – SES pioneers co-location – more than one satellite at the same orbital position – for efficient bandwidth use and greater viewing choice.

1989 – SES kick-starts DTH satellite broadcasting and the dawn of a new broadcasting era when ASTRA 1A begins transmitting. Europeans can now receive DTH analogue TV and radio via a small fixed dish.

1988 – SES successfully launches and positions its first satellite, ASTRA 1A, at 19.2° East.

1985 – SES (Société Européenne des Satellites), Europe’s first private satellite operator, is incorporated in Luxembourg and headquartered in Betzdorf.