SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG) and
(LuxX:SESG), will launch ASTRA2Connect, a fully satellite-based
interactive and low-cost broadband internet access to serve the
residential market, the small and home offices as well as small and
medium enterprises. ASTRA2Connect will provide a full satellite-based
"triple play" infrastructure service enabling broadband internet
access, voice-over-IP and other content related access services such
as IPTV or Video-on-Demand. It is expected to be operational in the
first quarter of 2007 and will mainly target homes in Europe, which
can not easily get terrestrial broadband internet services.
Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, says:
"ASTRA2Connect is a great innovation that brings broadband internet
access to everyone - whenever and wherever. The end-consumers will
benefit from an affordable and always-on two-way connectivity. We are
proud to offer this revolutionary satellite-based infrastructure and
envisage to extend ASTRA2Connect to other regions of the world in the
near future."
ASTRA2Connect is currently offered on a wholesale basis to large
European service providers such as telecommunication operators,
internet service providers and broadband operators that conduct
pro-active marketing and sales activities in the residential and small
enterprise markets. The necessary equipment consists of an interactive
satellite antenna as well as a low-cost and easy-to-install satellite
modem. For the design and procurement of the satellite platform and
the related modems, SES ASTRA has entered into a cooperation with
Newtec, a recognized market leader in satellite communication systems.
ASTRA2Connect uses advanced technology developed with the support of
the European Space Agency (ESA).
For more information please contact: mc.martin@ses-astra.com
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH)
satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million
Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet
currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1700
analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
for DTH services are 19.2(degree) East and 28.2(degree) East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5(degree) East.
SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG) and (LuxX:SESG).
SES GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES
ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and SES NEW SKIES in the rest
of the world. The Company also holds strategic participations in
AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, 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 GLOBAL provides outstanding satellite communications
solutions via a fleet of 44 satellites across the globe. Additional
info on SES GLOBAL at: www.ses-global.com.
