The users will benefit of a 'triple-play' service including Voice-Over-IP, Video and audio services such as IPTV as well as Internet access. What makes ASTRA2Connect so unique is that it comprises a highly reliable and cost-effective system, highly scalable to a wide variety of users, services and applications. For the design and procurement of the system infrastructure, SES ASTRA has entered into a commercial co-operation with Newtec of Belgium, who will manufacture the terminals and make Hub infrastructure available.
The terminal consists of a satellite modem, interactive LNB and antenna. Technology used by Newtec in the ASTRA2Connect service was developed during the ESA Telecom supported project SatMode. SatMode offers a wide array of benefits, not only does scalable addressing appeal to a market of millions of users, SatMode is always-on and features permanent and instantaneous connectivity, a low-cost and enhanced security.
ASTRA2Connect is a solution based on open standards such as SatMode, which formed the core of the technological development along with two other open standards fully supported by the European Space Agency, namely DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS.
"That SatMode forms an integral part of what I'm sure will be a successful commercial development only serves to highlight the role ESA plays in developing new technologies and applications for industry that are of direct benefit users on the 'have-not' side of the digital divide", explained Domenico Mignolo, ESA Technical Project Officer for the SatMode project. "ASTRA2Connect demonstrates that open standards such as SatMode enable cost reduction and show the promise of satellite 2-way communication."
SES-ASTRA is currently offering ASTRA2Connect on a commercial basis to large European service providers such as telecommunication operators, internet service providers and broadband operators targeting the residential market. 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.
Image ESA Telecom
