Telecom 2C belongs to the French series of telecommunications satellites Telecom 2, which Eutelsat deployed in the 1990s to cover Europe and adjacent regions. The orbital position 3.0° E is a classic slot near the prime meridian, convenient for a single Ku-beam that simultaneously covers Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The sathub database records for this spacecraft 28 Ku-band transponders and 28 active channels.
Launch and technical platform
The satellite was launched on 4 December 1992 aboard an Ariane 4 launch vehicle from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. Manufacturer — Alcatel Space, platform — Spacebus 2000. The design lifetime was 15 years — quite typical for spacecraft of that generation.
Spacebus 2000 provided sufficient power budget for stable operation of Ku-band transponders with acceptable EIRP levels across the entire coverage area. This platform enabled Eutelsat to rapidly expand its orbital fleet to meet growing demand for television broadcasting and corporate communication channels.
Coverage areas and reception in Ukraine
The Ku-beam of Telecom 2C covers Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia. Position 3.0° E provides an antenna elevation angle for most regions of Ukraine in the range of 20–30° — relatively low above the horizon, so obstructions such as trees or buildings are more critical than at steeper positions.
The pointing azimuth for Kyiv is approximately 196–200°, i.e. almost due south with a slight westward offset. In practice, when adjusting a 0.85 m dish in Kyiv, the signal is reliably found if the southern horizon is open to at least 25°.
| Reception region | Coverage | Recommended antenna diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Central Ukraine (Kyiv) | Ku-beam (Europe) | 75–90 cm |
| Western Ukraine (Lviv) | Ku-beam (Europe) | 60–75 cm |
| Eastern Ukraine | Ku-beam (periphery) | 90 cm and larger |
| Southern Ukraine (Odesa) | Ku-beam (Europe) | 75–90 cm |
| North Africa / Middle East | Ku-beam | 60–75 cm |
In eastern Ukraine, the signal falls on the beam periphery. Based on signal measurements under dense cloud conditions, an antenna of 90 cm or larger is realistically required there — the signal level margin is significantly smaller than in Lviv or Odesa.
Transponders and frequency plan
Telecom 2C is equipped with 28 Ku-band transponders. Satellites of the Telecom 2 series operated in the band 10.7–12.75 GHz on reception and 12.5–18 GHz on transmission. Both linear polarisations — horizontal and vertical — are supported.
The primary modulation standard for this generation is DVB-S with QPSK. Some transponders may operate in DVB-S2 depending on the ground equipment of the specific broadcaster. Symbol rate ranges from 2 to 45 Msym/s according to capacity lease conditions.
Television broadcasting and capacity usage
During its active service life, Telecom 2C was primarily used for:
- Commercial broadcasting — European television channels for audiences in France and neighbouring countries;
- Sports transmissions — temporary uplinks for live broadcasts;
- Corporate telecommunications — VSAT networks and dedicated communication channels for business.
The current list of active channels and transponders is available in the frequency table on this sathub page. The broadcast lineup may change: part of the capacity is traditionally allocated to temporary or regional transmissions.
Frequently asked questions
- What antenna is needed to receive Telecom 2C in Kyiv?
- A dish of 75–90 cm diameter with a Ku-band converter is sufficient. An LNB with a local oscillator frequency of 9750/10600 MHz or 10750 MHz — both options are suitable depending on the frequency plan of the specific transponder.
- How do I point the antenna at position 3.0° E?
- For Kyiv: azimuth approximately 196–200°, elevation angle approximately 25–28°. Enter your coordinates and position 3.0° E into any online pointing calculator — you will get precise values for your city.
- Are there open FTA channels on Telecom 2C?
- The current list of FTA channels is displayed in the transponder table on this page. The broadcast lineup depends on current capacity lessees and may change.
- What is the NORAD ID of the Telecom 2C satellite?
- NORAD ID — 23730. The orbital parameters of this spacecraft are available in public databases of space objects under this number.