The satellite will be named THOR 7 and is expected to be ready for launch towards the end of 2013, with a lifespan of 15-20 years. The satellite is intended to provide capacity for broadcasting requirements within Central and Eastern Europe and additional capacity for maritime services. THOR 7 will join the established THOR fleet at the orbital position of 1 degree West, which already serves nearly 17 million cable and satellite households throughout Europe. It will provide much-needed growth capacity for TV services, specifically in Central and Eastern Europe, where HDTV is fast becoming accepted and 3DTV is expected to play a key role in the future. The new satellite will also be equipped with additional capacity that allows Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) to strengthen its maritime service proposition, providing data communication services in areas including the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.