Astra 3B is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES, launched in 2010 to the Astra 23.5°E orbital position providing digital television and radio for direct-to-home (DTH), and the AstraConnect two-way satellite broadband services across Europe and Asia.
The satellite is also used to provide the one-way Othernet internet access service to Europe that, using small lightweight receiver stations, is designed to eventually provide news, weather, educational and other media to communities with no other access to the internet.[3]
Astra 3B was used by SES to broadcast its first demonstration Ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV) (8K) television signal in May 2018.[4]
In the summer of 2023, Astra 5B was moved from 31.5° East to co-locate with Astra 3B at 23.5°E.[5]