SES ASTRA Announces Expansion of Two-Way Satellite Broadband Service ASTRA2Connect with V and Telecommunications Operator Towercom in Czech Republic and Slovakia
SES ASTRA Expands Two-Way Satellite Broadband in Central and Eastern Europe
Distribution agreement signed with Towercom to market ASTRA2Connect in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia
SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG – News) (LuxX:SESG), announced today that it has signed a further reseller agreement for its two-way satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect with the TV and telecommunications operator Towercom in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With this agreement, SES ASTRA will significantly expand the marketing and sales of ASTRA2Connect in Central and Eastern Europe.
ASTRA2Connect is an ideal broadband solution for households in regions without or with insufficient terrestrial broadband infrastructure. The technology offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access, including internet telephony, 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. The service was launched in early 2007 and is now available in 12 countries throughout Europe. ASTRA2Connect is marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market.
“Our distribution agreement with Towercom is a further step for the roll-out of ASTRA2Connect in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Norbert Willems, Managing Director of ASTRA Broadband Services. “Access to broadband internet is a prerequisite for economic and social growth and Central and Eastern Europe is a region with a dynamic economic development. Unfortunately, there are still many areas with poor DSL penetration or none at all. We are very proud that with ASTRA2Connect we can now offer a fast and cost-efficient solution to those Czech and Slovakian households without access to terrestrial high-speed internet.”
Based in Bratislava, Slovakia, Towercom provides services for TV broadcasters, mobile and fixed telecommunications operators, state authorities, utility providers and other enterprises. Furthermore, Towercom in cooperation with Trade Tec is operating the digital satellite platform Skylink via ASTRA’s 23.5 degrees East orbital position for which it has so far distributed 600,000 smartcards in the Czech and Slovak Republic.
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 14 ASTRA and two SIRIUS satellites. The combined satellite system delivers services to more than 122 million DTH and cable households and transmits nearly 2,500 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 nearly 70 High Definition (HD) channels on its main orbital positions, ASTRA and SIRIUS represent the most important HDTV platform for Europe’s leading broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2° East, 28.2° East, 23.5° East, 5° East and 31.5° East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG – News) (LuxX:SESG). 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 40 satellites in 26 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
About ASTRA BROADBAND SERVICES (ABBS)
ABBS is a 100% owned subsidiary of SES ASTRA operating SES ASTRA’s new satellite broadband access ASTRA2Connect. ASTRA2Connect 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. ASTRA2Connect offers a unique possibility for households in regions without terrestrial broadband connection to access broadband services.
Sold to end-users through domestic service providers in European countries and regions ASTRA2Connect closes the gap between the end user and the broadband technology and provides a high reliable and well performing broadband access service matching local needs.
About Towercom www.towercom.sk
Towercom, Inc. is privately-owned TV and telecommunications operator based in Bratislava, Slovakia. Towercom serves Slovakian and Czech Free-to-Air and encrypted TV channels, mobile phone operators, incumbent and alternative fix telecommunications operators, state authorities, utility providers and other entrerprises. Towercom, Inc. is operating the digital satellite platform Skylink as well as the pay-TV package MULTI.
About Skylink www.skylink.sk
Skylink is the Czech and Slovak satellite platform with the longest tradition and is the largest and the most dynamic satellite service in Czech Republic and the second one in Slovakia. Skylink is the only platform which enables all households in Czech Republic and Slovakia access high quality TV channels (HDTV) thanks to 100% coverage of Astra satellites.
