Telenor Satellite Broadcasting has completed the in-orbit testing for its Thor 5 satellite. In addition to taking over traffic from Thor II, the new satellite will also provide additional capacity both for the Nordic region, and Central and Eastern Europe.  
 
Thor 5, built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on February 11. A total of 24 transponders will deliver three times the payload power when compared to Thor II.  
 
It is anticipated that the transition of traffic to Thor 5 will commence on April 15 with a completion date of April 25, 2008.