Astra to increase broadband capacity with Ka-band

SES Astra is increasing the download speed for its satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect to over 10Mbps by providing additional capacity from its 28.2° East orbital position.

Next month, Astra will start providing higher download speeds of up to 6Mbps in its existing Ku-band offerings. All new terminals deployed are Ka-band ready, allowing end users to migrate to Astra’s Ka-band services once they become available in 2012. In September, Astra will start bringing Ka-band capacity at 28.2° East into use, supporting download speeds of at least 10Mbps and more. Ka-band capacity will also become available on Astra’s 2E, 2F and 2G spacecraft, scheduled for launch between 2012 and 2014. Astra said it expects ASTRA2Connect to serve over 80,000 European customers by the end of May, making it Europe’s largest satellite-based broadband network.

ASTRA2Connect is offered via 27 distribution partners in more than 50 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.