SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has launched
its innovative broadband satellite service ASTRA2Connect with Filiago
as an anchor customer in Germany. Both companies presented their
cooperation at the international computer trade show CeBIT in
Hannover. Filiago will market the broadband internet access service to
end customers in Germany especially in regions without terrestrial
broadband access. The satellite-based DSL infrastructure is the only
possibility for these regions to access highspeed DSL-internet, thus
preventing a "digital divide" for homes in the countryside. According
to official data from the German Ministry for Economy and Technology
at least 2.9 million German homes still do not have any access to
Broadband Internet.
The end user equipment - necessary to use the service - consists
of an interactive satellite antenna as well as a low-cost and
easy-to-install satellite modem. The costs for the internet access
range from 19.95 Euro to 49.95 Euro for a 256 kbit/s, 512 kbit/s or
1024 kbit/s flatrate plus a registration fee of 99.95 Euro. The
hardware equipment can be either purchased for 319.95 Euro or leased
for 9.95 Euro per month.
ASTRA2Connect will also support Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) services. It uses advanced technology which has been developed
in cooperation with Newtec in Belgium and the European Space Agency
(ESA).
ASTRA2Connect mainly targets homes in Germany and the rest of
Europe which cannot easily get terrestrial or cable broadband internet
services. The new product is currently offered by SES ASTRA on a
wholesale basis to large European service providers such as
telecommunication operators, internet service providers and broadband
operators that target the residential and small enterprise markets.
SES ASTRA will introduce ASTRA2Connect in the very near future
also in other European countries, where SES ASTRA is negotiating with
several resellers.
"Together with Filiago, we will bring a highly innovative product
to the German market that provides broadband internet access to
everyone in Germany at an affordable price", says Alexander Oudendijk,
Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "ASTRA2Connect is an impressive
proof of the technological advantages of satellite broadband services
for rural areas and a further step for SES ASTRA to deliver dual- and
triple-play services by satellite to the German and European markets.
With this product and through the cooperation with Filiago, households
all over Germany will be able to benefit from an affordable and
always-on two-way internet connectivity."
Utz Wilke, Managing Director of Filiago, says: "In areas without
DSL coverage customers are now offered an attractive solution at costs
which are comparable with DSL. Astra2Connect is easy to use and
compatible with any operating system, which makes the offer even more
compelling."
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in
Europe, delivering services to more than 109 million DTH and cable
households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 12
satellites, transmitting 1,864 analogue and digital television and
radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia,
internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments
and their agencies. With 26 High Definition (HD) channels available
via its satellites today, ASTRA is also the most important HDTV
broadcasting platform in Europe. ASTRA's prime orbital positions are
19.2 degrees East, 28.2 degrees East, and 23.5 degrees East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES wholly
owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe,
SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provide global
coverage and connectivity. The Company also holds strategic
participations in SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in
Mexico. AMERICOM Government Services provides network solutions and
bandwidth to the US government and its contractors. SES provides
outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 43
satellites in 33 orbital positions around the globe. Additional
information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
