The EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite was launched to 8° West in 2015, joining satellites already operated at the adjacent 7° West position by Eutelsat and Egyptian satellite company Nilesat.

The 7/8° West video neighbourhood is one of the most dynamic in the global satellite TV market, with a rapidly growing audience and channel line-up. Over 56 million homes in North Africa and the Middle East are already equipped for DTH reception of 1300 Arabic and international channels broadcast at this position by Eutelsat and Nilesat.

The high-capacity satellite from Thales Alenia Space is equipped with 40 operational Ku-band transponders designed primarily to serve DTH markets in North Africa and the Middle East.

A C-band mission at 8° West offers 10 operational transponders connected to footprints covering the African continent and reaching west to South America.