24 May 2011

SES ASTRA, will increase the download speed for ASTRA2Connect to beyond 10 Mbit/s by providing additional capacity from its 28.2 degrees East orbital position.

ASTRA2Connect is expected to serve more than 80,000 end-users in Europe by the end of May from its 23.5 degrees East orbital position and is Europe's largest satellite-based broadband network. With the decision to provide additional capacity from 28.2 degrees East, SES ASTRA brings its successful service to the next level of development.

In June 2011, SES ASTRA will start to provide higher download speeds of up to 6 Mbit/s in its existing Ku-band offerings. All new terminals deployed are "Ka-band ready" allowing end users to easily migrate to ASTRA's Ka-band services once they will become available in 2012. In September 2012, SES ASTRA will start to bring Ka-band capacity at 28.2 degrees East into use supporting download speeds of 10 Mbit/s and more. The ASTRA2Connect Ka-band capacity will become available on SES ASTRA's 2E, 2F and 2G spacecraft, scheduled for launch between 2012 and 2014.

Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer at SES, said: "We are very proud that ASTRA2Connect has become the largest satellite broadband network in Europe helping to bridge the digital gap in many rural regions. More than 80,000 end users and a strong network of distribution partners including Deutsche Telekom and Nordnet of France Telecom demonstrate our success. I am convinced that our decision to invest into additional capacity and support higher broadband speeds will strengthen our offer and help us to further grow our customer base." 

ASTRA2Connect is offered via 27 distribution partners to end-customers and businesses in more than 50 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. SES ASTRA most recently introduced a new technology to provide ASTRA2Connect to entire communities without end-users having to install their own satellite antenna.