The Express-AM1 satellite was brought into use at 40 E on February 1, 2005.

This satellite covers Russia, the CIS countries, Europe and the Middle East in C and Ku bands as well as South Asia in Ku band. In Ku, Express-AM1 has two European beams and one high-power spot beam over India, and in C – a single European beam.

In the Intersputnik system, this satellite is used by mobile operators in VSAT networks in India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Another application in these countries is e-learning. The wide European beam is best suited for internet traffic, telecommunications and broadcasting.

The Express-AM1 telecommunications and broadcasting satellite was ordered by RSCC and built by NPO PM in cooperation with NEC/TOSHIBA Space Systems under the 2002-2005 Satellite Fleet Renewal Project. This satellite is intended for multiservice networks (digital video and audio broadcasting, videoconferencing, data transmission, access to the internet) and for VSAT networks.