Founded in 1985 with the support of the Luxembourg government, SES is today the world's pre-eminent provider of satellite communications via a fleet of 39 satellites in 26 orbital positions. SES is made up of two market-leading satellite operators: SES ASTRA in Europe, and SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES in North America, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Together, they provide customers with global coverage and connectivity.

SES’ global reach is strengthened through strategic participations in regional operators, including 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe, 49% of Ciel in Canada and 70% of QuetzSat in Mexico. SES also owns a 50% share in Solaris Mobile, a joint venture with Eutelsat to provide satellite capacity for broadcasting and communication services to mobile and handheld devices in Europe.

In addition to its core global satellite capacity business, SES owns a number of specialist satellite service companies that deliver value-added services, including NDSatCom, AMERICOM Government Services, ASTRATechCom, ASTRA Broadband Services, and ASTRA Platform Services.

SES and its operating companies have been at the forefront of new developments and market innovations in the satellite broadcasting communications sector.

In Europe, SES ASTRA operates a fleet of 16 satellites at five orbital positions. SES ASTRA has been the driver of the Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite market, which now reaches directly and indirectly 117 million homes in Europe. SES ASTRA also pioneered the switch from analogue to digital and now has a 72% share of the digital satellite market in Europe. Today, SES ASTRA  is the pacesetter in Europe offering High Definition Television (HDTV) via satellite, offering up to 60 HDTV channels and promoting the acceptance of HDTV technology and standards among consumers, as for example with the ‘HD-READY’ label.  The SES group currently broadcasts 137 channels in HD.

The newly created division SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES gives SES coverage of North America, Asia, Africa and Latin America through a global fleet of 23 satellites, with a further seven under construction. The division combines two formerly separate units, offering their customers seamless global coverage and connectivity, and access to a growing global satellite network. Their customers include broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, internet service providers, mobile networks, educational institutions, global data networks, telecommunications providers and governments. 

With its headquarters located in the Château de Betzdorf in Luxembourg, SES has 1,550 employees, spread over 50 offices and facilities in 22 countries. SES is a publicly-listed company whose securities are traded on the Paris Euronext and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange under the symbol SESG.

Testimonial: Romain Bausch, President and CEO, SES