households, either through a direct reception system (parabola) or through a cable network supplied by Eutelsat satellites. easily installed. Satellite communications are perhaps one of the most egalitarian broadcasting services ever known, including for developing countries or coun-tries at a geographical disadvantage for the deploy-ment of terrestrial networks. Eutelsat’s satellites offer other telecommunication services for multinationals, professionals, but also increasing specifi c services such as satellite broad-band The slowdown does not affect the satellite industry, as the rate of new connections depends solely on end-users, and not of the capacity of operators to fi nance new infrastructure. On the contrary, satellite is even in this time of crisis a privileged tool of public policy in order to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are situated, and whatever their needs, can access the Internet. Internet access. Many countries and regions (for example, the European Union) have established policies to bridge the digital divide, in which satel-lites play an indispensable role to connect the most remote zones and areas, which are unlikely to ever prove viable for terrestrial communication services. Eutelsat’s deployment plans for new satellites are growing at an unprecedented, with no fewer than eleven new satellites to be deployed in orbit be-tween Eutelsat is the premier operator of satellites in Eu-rope and the third-largest global player, with turno-ver amounting to nearly EUR 900 million. Its fl eet December 2008 and mid-2011. Each satellite requires an investment of EUR 250-300 million for construction, launch and associated operations. These eleven satellites therefore represent a total investment of nearly EUR 3 billion in thirty months, more than the total turnover of the company over currently comprises 27 operational satellites, spread over 20 orbital positions, covering the whole of Eu-rope, central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and major parts of Asia and Latin America. Eutelsat broad-casts over 3,200 television channels to 190 million Confronting the Crisis: ICT Stimulus Plans for Economic Growth 77