Asia-based global satellite operator, ABS, expands its reach in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Russia, South Asia and Southeast Asia from 2017 with a new satellite, commissioned from Boeing.

ABS-8 – ABS’s third 702SP small-platform satellite from Boeing – is expected to launch in 2017, replacing ABS-7 at 116.1ºE.

ABS chief executive, Tom Choi, says the satellite’s C-, Ku- and Ka-beams with wide beams and high throughput capacity will serve government, mobility, telecoms, DTH and rural broadband sectors.

The 702SP satellite, with 50 transponders, is part of Boeing’s commitment to maximising payload while decreasing overall satellite mass and cost, Boeing Satellite Systems International president, Mark Spiwak says. ABS’ first all-electric propulsion 702SP satellite (ABS-3A) was launched earlier this year. A second ABS 702SP satellite (ABS-2A) is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2015.