Guide to Accessing Astra 2 (28.2°E) and Eurobird (28.5°E) Satellites in Europe
Many people living in Europe use the Astra 2 (28.2°E) and Eurobird (28.5°E) satellites to watch UK television channels. These satellites are the backbone of Sky and Freesat platforms. While Sky is a subscription-based service, Freesat offers free-to-air channels that can be received by anyone with a satellite dish and compatible receiver. For those living in Europe, it is possible to access these broadcasts with the right coverage, dish size, and installation setup.
2. Astra 2 (28.2°E) Satellite
The Astra 2 series, operated by SES Astra, mainly targets the UK, Ireland, and Western Europe.
- Position: 28.2° East
- Band: Ku-band (10.70 – 12.75 GHz)
- Features: HD and 4K broadcast support, strong signal quality, wide range of thematic channels
- Usage in Europe: In many parts of Western Europe, a dish size of 80–120 cm is enough for a strong signal.
3. Eurobird (28.5°E) Satellite
Formerly known as Eurobird 1 and later as Eutelsat 28A, this satellite worked alongside Astra 2 to increase UK broadcast capacity. Today, most of its duties have been taken over by the Astra fleet.
- Position: 28.5° East
- Coverage: UK, Ireland, and parts of Northern and Western Europe
- Advantage in Europe: Additional channel variety
4. Sky and Freesat Services
- Sky: Requires a subscription, offers sports, movies, documentaries, and entertainment channels. A dedicated decoder and viewing card are required.
- Freesat: Free-to-air platform providing access to hundreds of UK TV and radio channels. In Europe, reception depends on dish size.
5. Coverage and Dish Sizes in Europe
Astra 2 and Eurobird satellites use UK Spot Beam technology, focusing broadcasts on the UK. Signal strength varies across Europe.
- Western Europe (France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium): 80–100 cm dish is usually enough
- Central Europe (Czech Republic, Austria, Poland): 120–150 cm dish may be required
- Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece): 150–180 cm dish might be necessary
- Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria): 180 cm or larger recommended
6. Installation Steps
- Choose the Right Dish Size – Determine signal strength in your area to select the proper dish diameter.
- Install the LNB – Use a Ku-band, low-noise LNB for better performance.
- Get a Compatible Receiver – Choose a Sky or Freesat compatible satellite receiver.
- Align the Dish – Point to 28.2°E or 28.5°E satellite position.
- Measure Signal Strength – Use a signal meter to get the highest quality.
- Scan for Channels – Perform a channel search on your receiver to list all available broadcasts.
7. Common Questions in Europe
Q: Is it legal to watch Freesat in Europe?
A: Yes, Freesat is a free-to-air platform and can be watched anywhere the signal is accessible.
Q: Can it be received in Turkey?
A: Technically yes, but it requires a very large dish (200 cm or more) due to weak signals.
For those living in Europe, Astra 2 (28.2°E) and Eurobird (28.5°E) are the most reliable way to access UK television. With the correct equipment and dish size, you can enjoy both Sky’s premium content and Freesat’s free channels in high quality.
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