SES Astra Signs
Agreement With NordNet For The Distribution Of Astra2Connect In
France
(6 May 2008) SES Astra, an SES
company, has signed an important framework contract with the internet service
provider NordNet to market its satellite based two-way broadband service
Astra2Connect in France.
The commercial roll-out to end-users
will start in the second half of May.
NordNet, a subsidiary of the
French telecommunications operator Orange (France Télécom), based
in Lille, provides innovative internet solutions for a broad range of
customers. Astra2Connect will be distributed under the brand name NordNet
everywhere in France. Starting from 29.90 Euro per month, the service includes
a WiFi Router, six Antivirus and Antispam filtered e-mail addresses, a homepage
hosting, and a parental filter to protect children and teenagers against
inappropriate content on the internet.
Astra2Connect is a fully
satellite-based solution for broadband access, and is marketed via wholesalers
and internet service providers to the residential market. The innovative
service offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access
for flat service fees. The customer premises equipment - a modem and a
satellite dish - is low cost and delivered with a tool for easy
self-installation. Astra2Connect offers a unique possibility for households in
regions without terrestrial broadband connection to access broadband
services.
"The agreement with NordNet is a further confirmation of our
strategy to go to market aggressively and roll out the product using the
existing capacity of our powerful satellite fleet," said Alexander Oudendijk,
Chief Commercial Officer of SES Astra. "We see significant demand for a
satellite broadband product in France which helps to serve households currently
not able to access sufficient terrestrial highspeed
connections."
"NordNet has always striven to offer the best internet
experience to our customers," said Francis Piet, CEO of NordNet. "Since 1995,
we have done everything to provide them with the connection they need, using
every technology at our disposal: ADSL, ReADSL, DSLe, and WiMAX. We are
delighted that we are now able to offer our clients an affordable solution to
access the internet via a two-way broadband satellite connection everywhere in
France."
About SES Astra
SES Astra is the leading Direct-to-Home
(DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 13
Astra and two Sirius satellites. The combined satellite system delivers
services to more than 117 million DTH and cable households and transmits a
total of 2,295 analogue and digital television as well as radio channels. SES
Astra also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication
services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 34 High
Definition (HD) channels available via its satellites today, Astra and Sirius
represent the most important HDTV broadcasting platform in Europe. The prime
orbital positions for Astra and Sirius are 19.2° East, 28.2° East,
23.5° East and 5° East.
SES Astra is an SES company. SES owns
three market-leading satellite operators, SES Astra in Europe, SES Americom in
North America, and SES New Skies which provides global coverage and
connectivity. The company owns 90 percent of SES Sirius in Europe, as well as
strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. SES provides
outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in
25 orbital positions around the globe.
About NordNet
NordNet is
based in Lille provides a large offer of innovative internet solutions for
private and professional customers. Founded in 1995 as a regional Internet
Service Provider, the company is now a subsidiary of the French
telecommunications operator Orange (France Télécom). NordNet has
gradually developed an expertise in the Internet field and included Internet
related products such as antivirus solutions, hosting solutions, domain names,
referencing and many more to its offer.
As an ICANN accredited
Registrar, an experienced ISP, and an expert in security related subjects on
the web, NordNet can provide its private and professional customers with
everything they need to access the Internet, use it to optimise their business
and secure their data.
(source: SES Astra)
