Eutelsat, the European Telecommunications Satellite Organisation, is an organization that operates about 15 satellites and offers satellite communications services to Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Founded in 1985 as an intergovernmental entity, it now represents the interest of 47 European countries. In 2001, Eutelsat's structure was streamlined into two-tiers: Eutelsat, S.A., a private limited company with headquarters in Paris, to which all assets and activities were transferred, and an intergovernmental organization to ensure that the company observes the principles of pan-European coverage and fair competition.