Eutelsat 7 West A is located at orbital position 7.0° W and serves a wide geographic area: from Central Europe and North Africa to the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The 7° W position is traditionally strong in Arabic-language and African broadcasting. The spacecraft inherited the missions of its predecessors - Atlantic Bird 7, Nilebird and Atlantic Bird 4R - and ensured continuity of service for their clients.
For Ukrainian viewers, this position is specific. The elevation angle above the horizon here is significantly lower than at Central European positions, so a larger diameter antenna is required. The sathub database records 40 active transponders and 392 channels on board this spacecraft.
Launch and technical platform
The satellite was launched on 14 June 2014 from Baikonur on a Proton-M launch vehicle. Manufacturer - SSL (Space Systems Loral), platform - SSL 1300. This is one of the most common commercial platforms for heavy geostationary spacecraft. Design life - 15 years, approximately until 2029.
The SSL 1300 platform provides significant power for onboard amplifiers. This is critical for simultaneous coverage of zones from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several spatial beams: Europe BSS (Ku-band for Europe), North Africa, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Atlantic region. For Ukraine, the Europe BSS beam is relevant, however the signal level east of the Carpathians is noticeably lower than in Central Europe. In practice, when adjusting a 0.90 m dish in Kharkiv or Dnipro, the signal margin is minimal, and during heavy cloud cover, image quality may degrade.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS | Central and Eastern Europe | 90-120 cm |
| North Africa | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt | 60-75 cm |
| Middle East | Middle East, Arabian Peninsula | 75-90 cm |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa | 90-120 cm |
| Atlantic region | Atlantic region | 120+ cm |
For Kyiv and eastern regions, the minimum recommended diameter is 90 cm. In Lviv or Uzhhorod, the elevation angle is somewhat higher, but the signal margin is still small. Based on signal measurements under heavy cloud conditions, even in Central Ukraine a 1.2 m dish provides noticeably more stable results than 90 cm.
Transponders and frequency band
Eutelsat 7 West A operates exclusively in the Ku-band. The sathub database lists 40 active transponders. Broadcasting is conducted mainly in DVB-S2 standard with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Polarisation - linear horizontal and vertical (H/V). The LNB converter should be a standard Ku universal with a local oscillator frequency of 9750/10600 MHz.
The combination of DVB-S2 and 8PSK allows operators to use bandwidth more efficiently and place more HD channels in the same transponder compared to the older DVB-S.
Television packages and FTA channels
Position 7.0° W is key for Arabic-language and African broadcasting. The main content directions on Eutelsat 7 West A:
- Nilesat packages - Egyptian state and commercial channels in open (FTA) and encrypted formats.
- Atlantic Bird packages - channels for North African audiences (Maghreb, Mashrek).
- Middle Eastern television channels - news, entertainment and religious broadcasters in Arabic.
- European FTA channels - a small number of open channels for European audiences.
A significant portion of content is available in open FTA mode. For enthusiasts collecting Arabic-language and African channels without subscription, this position is interesting precisely because of the large number of unencrypted transponders.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Eutelsat 7 West A in Ukraine?
For most regions, a minimum of 90 cm. With unstable signal or frequent precipitation, it is better to install 1.2 m right away.
Are there open FTA channels on the satellite?
Yes. Most are Arabic-language and African. There are also a small number of open European channels.
What frequency band does Eutelsat 7 West A operate in?
Ku-band only. A standard Ku universal LNB with a local oscillator frequency of 9750/10600 MHz is required.
How do I tune my receiver to this satellite?
Enter orbital position 7.0° W or NORAD ID 37816. For initial search, use any active transponder from the frequency table on this satellite's page on sathub.