The demand for satellite supported broadband solutions continues to accelerate.

Press Information

Betzdorf/ Berlin, June 4th 2002

The demand for satellite supported broadband solutions continues to accelerate.
(press1: iBOT) - ASTRA is fast becoming a dynamic transparent platform not only for TV and Radio broadcasts but for DVB- and IP data transmissions too.
The result is that all existing and potential satellite households can receive innovative, attractive Multimedia and Internet services as well as a huge choice of TV and radio channels.

As Europe's leading broadcast satellite system, ASTRA delivers a great choice of content, in the highest possible quality, direct to viewers' homes and accessible on attractively priced equipment. ASTRA's strengths in the broadcast market provide an ideal foundation for extending the choice of content and services available to millions of homes across Europe. New innovative IP and multimedia applications, catering to all types of interests, from leading telecommunications companies, content and service providers, will enrich the line of channels and services on ASTRA.

On the1st May 2002 the T-DSL via Satellite service, offered by Deutsche Telekom, was launched on ASTRA at 19.2º East. This is new and attractive fast broadband DSL service is likely to be in high demand amongst the 13 million households in Germany already receiving TV and radio from ASTRA.

T-DSL is a quality brand and with ASTRA as part of the infrastructure, consumers are guaranteed the quality of service and reliability of performance they want. A distinct advantage of the T-DSL via Satellite, powered by ASTRA, service is that consumers can receive the service with the same dish they use now only for TV and radio. The only additional requirements are a DVB-S-card or DVB-S-USB box connected to the Internet capable PC. Once installed, the user can receive high-speed-Internet via satellite at download speeds of up to 768 kbit/s. The T-DSL via Satellite service can also be combined with other Internet service provider too.

T-DSL via Satellite, powered by ASTRA is designed for the mass consumer market. The system has been developed and configured together with Deutsche Telekom. The service uses a combination of the telephone connection in each home for requesting content with the power of ASTRA to deliver broadband video, audio and data to every home simultaneously, no matter the location.