EUTELSAT 12 WEST D will replace EUTELSAT 12 WEST B, the satellite currently
operated by Eutelsat at 12.5° W.L, which received similar authority to provide Ku-band
mobility and other FSS services over parts of the Americas (including the eastern United
States and U.S. Caribbean territories) but is approaching its end of life.5
For this reason,
Eutelsat is relocating the EUTELSAT 12 WEST D to 12.5° W.L. and is surrendering its
market access authority for EUTELSAT 12 WEST B in a separate filing submitted
concurrently with this Petition. The EUTELSAT 12 WEST D satellite should arrive at its
intended location in December 2020 to continue to serve the U.S. market from this important
location, in which France holds date priority for Ku-band frequencies.