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Eutelsat announces satellite broadband deal with Avonline
Avonline has signed a contract with Eutelsat that allows it to sell satellite broadband services in the UK.
Under the up to €5 million (£4.4 million) agreement, telecoms specialist Avonline will be allowed to sell on Eutelsat's next-generation Tooway broadband facility, supplied by the KA-SAT satellite.
The technology is designed to bring fast, affordable and reliable internet connectivity to residents and businesses across the UK. According to Eutelsat, it could prove particularly beneficial in rural not-spot communities and areas with poor fixed-line and mobile broadband coverage.
At present, more than a tenth of properties are unable to access speeds of 2Mbps - the minimum targeted requirement as set by the government.
Tooway offers download speeds of up to 10Mbps and a maximum upload capability of 4Mbps.
KA-SAT, described by its operator as the world's most powerful spacecraft thanks to its capacity of more than 70Gbps, was launched in December 2010 and is set to begin offering full commercial services from mid-2011.
As the first high throughput satellite in Europe, Eutelsat believes KA-SAT will pave the way for new, competitively-priced satellite broadband services to be offered across the continent.
Mark Wynn, managing director of Avonline, said: "Avonline has been at the forefront of UK satellite communication solutions for the past ten years and we are delighted to be the first major UK satellite services provider to sign a contract for the next-generation Tooway satellite broadband service.
"This service will ensure that everyone who wants a fast and reliable broadband connection can now get connected."
Eutelsat is not the only company to offer satellite broadband connectivity. Last November, Avanti announced its HYLAS 1 satellite had launched from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guyana.
Avanti has secured a host of customers for its services, including BT, which will use the technology to bring faster broadband to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.