SES ASTRA Expands Reseller Programme

 

16 April 2009.

SES ASTRA, has signed a further reseller agreement for its two-way satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect with the TV and telecommunications operator Towercom in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With this agreement, SES ASTRA will significantly expand the marketing and sales of ASTRA2Connect in Central and Eastern Europe.

ASTRA2Connect is an ideal broadband solution for households in regions without or with insufficient terrestrial broadband infrastructure. The technology offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access, including internet telephony, for flat service fees. The customer premises equipment – a modem and a satellite dish – is low cost and delivered with a tool for easy self-installation. The service was launched in early 2007 and is now available in 12 countries throughout Europe. ASTRA2Connect is marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market.

“Our distribution agreement with Towercom is a further step for the roll-out of ASTRA2Connect in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Norbert Willems, Managing Director of ASTRA Broadband Services. “Access to broadband internet is a prerequisite for economic and social growth and Central and Eastern Europe is a region with a dynamic economic development. Unfortunately, there are still many areas with poor DSL penetration or none at all. We are very proud that with ASTRA2Connect we can now offer a fast and cost-efficient solution to those Czech and Slovakian households without access to terrestrial high-speed internet.”

Based in Bratislava, Slovakia, Towercom provides services for TV broadcasters, mobile and fixed telecommunications operators, state authorities, utility providers and other enterprises. Furthermore, Towercom in cooperation with Trade Tec is operating the digital satellite platform Skylink via ASTRA’s 23.5 degrees East orbital position for which it has so far distributed 600,000 smartcards in the Czech and Slovak Republic.