After several delays, Israel’s Amos-5 satellite finally launched Sunday from Russia’s Kazakhstan space center. The communications hub will join the satellite grouping of Amos-2 and Amos-3 to provide various satellite services to customers in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Amos-4 and Amos-6 are still under construction, planning launches for next year and 2014 respectively.

Operator Spacecom will use Amos-5 as a remote transmission and broadcast hub for Internet providers, television channels and telecom companies.

“AMOS-5’s launch further transforms Spacecom into a leading multi-regional satellite operator is truly a landmark event for us as we prepare to bring our reliable high-quality services to Africa,” stated Spacecom president and CEO David Pollack. “The satellite will offer excellent coverage and ready capacity to a rapidly growing region. Spacecom is excited and looks forward to providing comprehensive and quality communications solutions to Africa.”