Eutelsat Communications' W2A satellite, carrying Europe's first S-band payload, has been successfully launched at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch took place at 22:24 local time - 16:24 GMT, 18:24 CET - on April 3.

Dublin based Solaris Mobile, who own the S-band payload, is a joint venture between two of the world's leading satellite operators, Eutelsat Communications and SES Astra, who joined forces in early 2008 to develop next generation mobile TV services via satellite. With the launch, they become the first player in the market to provide a unique and advanced next generation network which offers seamless coverage across Europe, including fully digital mobile video, navigation and emergency assistance services to Broadcasters, Telco operators, the Automotive industry and Data & Communication providers.

Built by Thales Alenia Space, W2A will be fully operational at 10 degrees East around the end May, after an extensive round of in-orbit tests. The solar panels and antennas, including the state-of-the-art 12-metre S-band antenna will be fully deployed by the end of next week.

The S-band payload will allow content providers to deliver a range of mobile TV, radio and other data content services for handhelds devices such as phones, PDAs, iPods and game consoles, and vehicle owners can expect an exciting and innovative range of entertainment and location-based services to compliment their navigation systems.

Barry O'Leary, the CEO of IDA Ireland, congratulated Solaris Mobile on their successful launch and said "When IDA Ireland supported Solaris Mobile in setting up their European Headquarters in Dublin in June last year, this satellite was already under construction, and I'm delighted to have witnessed the launch by video-link."

Solaris is the first international satellite operator to have made an investment in Ireland and is an important marketing reference for IDA's continuing work to attract new business within the mobile, media and telecommunications sectors.

Today's successful launch will enable others appreciate the depth of Irish talent and innovation". "The Irish connection in this launch is a potent symbol of our standing as a leading innovation-led economy," he concluded.

The company intends to operate in a 2.00 GHz frequency band, (the S-band), reserved for the exclusive use of satellite and terrestrial mobile services. The S-band sits alongside UMTS frequencies that are already used across Europe for 3G terrestrial services.

"The success of today's launch means Solaris Mobile is now poised to deliver a new generation of mobile services for European consumers", said Steve Maine, Solaris Mobile CEO. "With the satellite in orbit, our work begins in earnest. Since Solaris Mobile is the first company to offer a hybrid satellite and terrestrial infrastructure for European mobile services, we are determined to set the standards for mobile communication services, in terms of innovation, quality and service that will set the tone for the rest of the industry."

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