SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has closed a
new contract to market its high speed internet access product
ASTRA2Connect to end consumers in Germany. The contract has been
signed with the German provider of Internet and telecommunications
services, H3 Netservice. A first contract for the distribution of
ASTRA2Connect in Germany to end consumers was signed in March with the
telecommunications provider Filiago.
H3 Netservice will market ASTRA2Connect through retail partners to
end consumers, reaching several thousands of affiliated outlets in
Germany. H3 Netservice intends to offer ASTRA2Connect in three service
packages. All the necessary hardware - a satellite dish with an
interactive device, as well as a low-cost and easy-to-install modem -
will be made available through H3 or retailers.
ASTRA2Connect is a fully satellite-based solution for broadband
access that delivers dual- and triple-play services without any
terrestrial support. This purely satellite-based DSL infrastructure
offers a unique possibility for regions without terrestrial broadband
access to use high-speed DSL-internet. According to official data from
the German Ministry of Economy and Technology, at least 2.9 million
German households still do not have any access to Broadband internet.
SES ASTRA is offering ASTRA2Connect on a wholesale basis to large
service providers such as telecommunication operators, internet
service providers and broadband operators across Europe who will
market it to their respective end customers.
"With H3 and additional service providers joining the ASTRA
platform, we are clearly ramping up the ASTRA2Connect infrastructure
and subscriber rate of this highly innovative product to end
consumers" said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES
ASTRA. "With ASTRA2Connect, we can offer consumers an attractive
solution to access high-speed internet, and we further leverage the
technological advantages of the ASTRA Satellite System. We will
continue our negotiations with other marketing partners across Europe
in order to maximize the reach of this new product in many different
markets."
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 13
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 degree East, 28.2 degree East, and 23.5 degree East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES 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. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions
via a fleet of 37 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.
Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
