23 November 2016 – EchoStar Corporation and subsidiary EchoStar Mobile announced today that the EchoStar XXI satellite has safely arrived at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, and is being prepared for launch aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket on December 22, 2016.

EchoStar XXI, a state-of-the-art S-band satellite owned and operated by EchoStar, will be positioned at the 10.25° East orbital slot. EchoStar Mobile, through an agreement with EchoStar, will utilize a portion of EchoStar XXI’s capacity to provide mobile satellite services (MSS) capacity throughout Europe, including the European Union. EchoStar Mobile is an EU-wide licensee for an integrated mobile satellite service network with a complementary ground component.

“EchoStar XXI is the latest step in the expansion of our satellite fleet,” said Anders Johnson, executive director of EchoStar Mobile and president of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. “The satellite will deliver capacity to EchoStar Mobile to provide commercial wholesalers with a new, advanced network for reliable, IP-based MSS voice and narrowband data services in Europe.”

EchoStar XXI incorporates EchoStar Mobile’s satellite-based platform, designed and developed by EchoStar subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, LLC. The platform leverages the ETSI GMR-1 3G air interface standard to enable wireless mobile devices to communicate over the satellite. Built by Space Systems Loral (SSL), the satellite weighs over 6,900 kg (~15,212 lbs) and features a large unfurlable reflector to provide the high performance levels required for mobile services.