Forthcoming launch of Astra 2E

Astra 2E
The Astra 2E satellite is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2013. Astra 2E will deliver next generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe and Africa at 28.2° East. The Ku-band capacity will allow this satellite to enhance and secure its existing offering to major Direct-to-Home (DTH) markets in the UK and Ireland. With a Ku-band payload specifically designed to meet the requirements of some of Europe’s largest DTH broadcasters, the satellites will have spot beam and pan-European beam switching capabilities to accommodate both pay-TV and free-to-air broadcasters, and to provide these customers with increased functionality. SES ASTRA customers in this region include BSkyB, BBC, ITV, Freesat, Channel Four, Channel 5, UK TV, Virgin Media, MTV and Discovery.
The BBC has confirmed their plans to move their services from Astra 1N/2F to Astra 2E in 2013. The over-spill of the BBC’s services will be reduced so viewers outside the UK will find it even harder to receive them. Astra 2E will have the same UK footprint as Astra 2F, so if you can currently view channels from Astra 2F, there should be no problems receiving Astra 2E. Here on the Costa Blanca there has been very little change to the reception from the recently launched  Astra 2F, it appears that the footprint is not as accurate as first projected, there is some loss of signal strength we have noticed a 10dB drop from the reception of Astra 1N which currently supplies 150 Direct to Home services. However this appears to only affect satellite dishes of 1 m or less, especially channel 5 group of channels.  The footprint of the new ( to be launched in the 2nd quarter of 2013) Astra 2E is projected to be the same as Astra 2F. Happy viewing.