Michel de Rosen Elected as Chairman of the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA)

BRUSSELS, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

In its Annual General Meeting, the Board of the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) today elected Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat, as its new Chairman of the Board. Dave McGlade, CEO of Intelsat, was re-elected first Vice-Chairman and Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, was elected second Vice-Chairman.

Michel de Rosen succeeds Cato Halsaa, former CEO of Telenor, as Chairman of ESOA. In thanking Cato he said: "During the last year, under Cato's leadership, ESOA has been shaping the Brussels debate around spectrum. The goal is to ensure recognition of the role of satellites by demonstrating our sector's heavy use of radio frequencies and by promoting an honest debate about what spectrum is actually required for what services. In 2013, the European Commission is taking concrete steps to facilitate the roll-out of satellite broadband in support of the Digital Agenda 2013 target of broadband for all. This is important work for European citizens and for the future sustainability of our sector.I am very proud to take on the responsibility of driving ESOA's ambitions forward in the coming years."

Europe's satellite operators have shown solid growth in recent years in a challenging overall economic environment. They are world leaders in their field, providing a backbone for Europe's space industry: this is vital given that the EU is about to embark on implementation of its first Space Industrial Policy through DG Enterprise & Industry. The Commission has recognised the crucial role of satellite operators, but will need to follow through with implementation actions such as working with other DGs to help regions understand how they can take advantage of satellite solutions to develop broader access to digital services by European citizens and businesses.

Michel de Rosen concluded: "Satellites provide everyday, emergency and strategic services across the globe and most particularly to citizens in areas unserved by other technologies. In pushing for a Digital Single Market, DG CONNECT has realised the need for satellitesto make 100% broadband coverage a reality. Beyond this, our technologies will be a key infrastructure for tomorrow's "converging world", relievingbottlenecksand working in a hybrid configuration withterrestrial networks as they become congested by bandwidth-hungry video content demanded by users. They are therefore also directly relevant to next generation networks and services of the future."

About ESOA:

ESOA was formed in March 2002 to represent the interests of the industry with key European organisations, including the European Commission, Parliament, Council and the European Space Agency as well as other international organisations. Today, the Association is the only CEO-driven satellite organisation to represent the world's largest operators and all regional European players. ESOA's goals include ensuring that satellites benefit from the appropriate political, industrial and regulatory environment to fulfil their vital role in the delivery of communications. Members are: Astrium Services, Avanti Communications, Eurasiasat, Eutelsat, HellasSat, Hispasat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, SES, Telenor and Telespazio. In addition, companies or organisations who are not operators but who engage in satellite-related activities are supporting members of the Association: these include Arianespace, Asitel, Astrium Satellites, Atrium Space Insurance, Brit Insurance, Hiscox, Mansat, Marsh, Munich Re, Newtec, O3b, Solaris, Swiss Re, Thales Alenia Space.

SOURCE ESOA