Intelset 5

As reported last month, the scheduled changeover of services from Intelsat 2 to Intelsat 5 at 169E has begun.

Most broadcasters will dual illuminate both satellites for a few weeks, until all services are migrated.

Australia International advise that their new downlink frequency on Intelsat 5 will be 4160MHz, horizontal polarisation, FEC 3/4, SR 26479.

Viewers report that Globecast are now operating on 3989MHz, horizontal polarisation, FEC 3/4, SR 3500.
The BBC World News Service is also being down linked on 4160MHz, in the same Mux as Australia International. In addition BBC World News will migrate to 16:9 widescreen format on January 19. This may mean reconfiguration of the video format on some receivers.

BBC Engineering also advise that PowerVu users should ensure their receivers are set to “non-PowerVu” or “Open” mode. BBC World news is transmitted as virtual channel 3 on this frequency.

The Intelsat 5 footprint is weaker than Intelsat 2 in some places.

For commercial reception, Perth now requires a 6m dish (previously 3m), Jakarta requires a 9m dish (previously 3m) and Sapporo Japan, where the service was previously available using a 3m dish, is no longer in the footprint.

Samoa and parts of Micronesia previously required a 10m dish can now receive the service using a 3m dish, good news for residents in that part of the Pacific.