President & CEO, Europe Star Ltd, Alain Roger, said that the first of EuropeStar's two geostationary (GEO), all Ku-band satellite is scheduled for launch in mid-2000 and will carry 30 transponders with eight focused on the Indian sub-continent. "The fixed satellite service (FSS) provided by EuropeStar will enable India and the region to develop its internal communications infrastructure. It will also help in reaching out to Indian community throughout EuropeStar's additional coverage of areas like southern Africa, South-East Asia, West Asia and Europe," he added.