Europe's largest satellite operator Eutelsat has signed an agreement with state-run China Satcom that will allow its Italian branch, Skylogic, to sell broadband satellite services in China.

The deal will enable companies in China and Europe to send data and email and hold video conferences.

Skylogic, the world's largest bi-directional satellite broadband operator, will begin working on its Chinese operations once China's government approves the agreement early next year.

The agreement opens up a potential market for some 1,000 Italian companies and 10,000 European firms already operating in China.

(China Daily December 8, 2004)