Eutelsat 8 West B is positioned at orbital slot 8.0° W and is operated by French company Eutelsat. The satellite provides coverage of Europe, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic Ocean region. Position 8° W is one of the most congested slots in the Eutelsat fleet for television broadcasting and fixed satellite communications.
The satellite carries 43 active transponders in the C and Ku bands. They serve over 636 television and radio channels: French broadcasters, Arabic and African television channels, pay-TV platforms.
Satellite history and launch
The satellite was launched into orbit on 3 December 2015 by Ariane 5 rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Manufacturer - Airbus Defence and Space, Eurostar 3000 platform. Designed service life - 15 years.
Eurostar 3000 is considered one of the most reliable geostationary platforms in the industry. Increased power of onboard transponders allows forming stable transcontinental beams even in difficult meteorological conditions - when measuring signal under dense cloud conditions, the C/N level remains acceptable for most coverage regions.
Coverage areas and reception features in Ukraine
The satellite forms several spatial beams: Europe BSS (broadband Ku beam for Europe), Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Atlantic Ocean Region. For Ukraine, the Europe BSS beam in the Ku band is most relevant.
In practice, when setting up a 0.90 m dish in central regions of Ukraine, the signal level is stable and sufficient for confident DTH reception. For C band, an antenna of 1.2-1.8 m is required. Azimuth pointing - 215-220°, elevation angle - 28-32°. The position is located west of the arc centre, so the antenna should be oriented to the south-west.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter (Ukraine) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS (Ku) | All of Europe, including Ukraine | from 90 cm |
| North Africa (Ku) | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt | not relevant for Ukraine |
| Middle East (Ku) | Middle East, Arabian Peninsula | not relevant for Ukraine |
| Sub-Saharan Africa (C/Ku) | Africa south of the Sahara | not relevant for Ukraine |
| C-band Global | Wide coverage, including Ukraine | from 1.2 m |
Transponder capacity and frequency bands
43 active transponders are distributed between C and Ku bands. Ku is used primarily for DTH broadcasting, C - for fixed communications, data transmission and backbone channels. DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards are supported with QPSK and 8PSK modulation.
636 channels in the sathub database confirm the status of position 8° W as one of the most congested orbital slots in the region. This is not just a number - the real density of broadcasting here is noticeable already during the first transponder scan.
Television packages and free-to-air (FTA) channels
At position 8.0° W there are major pay platforms: Polish Cyfra+, as well as Tricolor TV and NTV-Plus. France Télévisions places part of its international broadcasting here. A significant share is occupied by Arabic and African channels, targeting audiences in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Some channels are broadcast in open FTA mode. They can be watched on any DVB-S2 receiver without a conditional access card or CAM module.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What antenna is needed to receive Eutelsat 8 West B in Ukraine?
For Ku band, an offset antenna with a diameter of 90 cm is sufficient. For C band, a direct antenna from 1.2 m is required.
What azimuth should the antenna be set to for position 8° W?
Azimuth - 215-220° (south-west), elevation angle - 28-32° depending on the region of Ukraine.
Are there free-to-air (FTA) channels on Eutelsat 8 West B?
Yes, some channels are available without subscription on any compatible DVB-S2 receiver.
What pay packages are available at 8.0° W?
At this position, Cyfra+, Tricolor TV and NTV-Plus are available. To subscribe, you need the appropriate conditional access card or CAM module.