SES Prepares to Add ‘Americom-18’

SES Americom Inc.’s satellite fleet is set to expand yet again.

The company said Wednesday that it will add “Americom-18” sometime in 2006.

The new bird will be located at 105 degrees west, and it will be capable of delivering cable programming throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and the Caribbean.

“The plan to launch the AMC-18 satellite is a reflection of the success of our HD-PRIME Neighborhood on AMC-10 and 11, and it underscores our commitment to the growth of HDTV program services in the United States," SES Americom senior vice president of North American media services Bryan McGuirk said in a prepared statement.