SES Astra Signs
Agreement For The Distribution Of Astra2Connect In Belgium And The
Netherlands
(23 April 2008) SES Astra, an SES
company, has signed a framework contract with the Belgium-based provider
Satelliet Electronics for the marketing and sales of its satellite based
two-way broadband service Astra2Connect in Belgium and the
Netherlands.
For the provision of a high-quality and competitive
Voice over IP (VoIP) service, Satelliet Electronics has entered into a
co-operation scheme with Siemens, the Dutch VoIP provider BudgetPhone Company
and the service provider Ardigo Beheer. The commercial roll-out of the product
to end-users will start on 1st June 2008.
Astra2Connect is a fully
satellite-based solution for broadband access and is marketed and sold via
wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market. The
innovative infrastructure of Astra2Connect offers a very reliable, always-on,
two-way broadband internet access for flat service fees as well as VoIP. 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.
Since its market launch in April 2007,
Astra2Connect is now available in nine European countries: Germany, Austria,
Switzerland, Ireland, France, Poland, Italy, Belgium and the
Netherlands.
"The agreement with Satelliet Electronics shows that the
roll-out of Astra2Connect in the European market continues to gain momentum,"
said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES Astra. "We will now
be able to respond to the significant demand we are seeing for such a product
also in the Benelux region."
"With Astra2Connect, we want to address
customers in regions depending on slow and expensive dial-up connections, while
we also see good market perspectives in the recreational sector and the
maritime market," said Michel Anusiç, Sales Manager of Satelliet
Electronics. "Thanks to Astra2Connect, these market segments can now benefit
from a low-cost, always-on high-speed internet connection, including
VoIP."
About SES Astra
SES Astra is the leading Direct-to-Home
(DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 12
Astra and three 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 31 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.
(source: SES Astra)
