Archive for the 'SES Astra' Category
Nov 23, 2009, post by Satellite News
In its November edition, Germany’s independent leading consumer organization group, the Stiftung Warentest, has tested satellite and mobile Internet access and has awarded Filiago and Star DSL, service delivers and distribution partners of the satellite-based broadband service ASTRA2Connect, with the overall grade of “GOOD” (1.8)1. In the subcategory quality of the Internet connection, both ASTRA2Connect providers were the only ones to be rated “EXCELLENT” (1.4)1.
The leading European satellite operator SES ASTRA, one of Newtec’s major Sat3Play® customers, offers access to high-speed Internet with its interactive satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect. The Sat3Play® broadband terminal is a state-of-the-art, high-performance equipment package designed for a true broadband experience over satellite. It implements the most efficient technologies, such as DVB-S2 modulation and IP traffic enhancement techniques such as TCP/IP acceleration and pre-fetching as well as encryption.
The respective satellite-based broadband services were compared and tested with a speed of 2.048 kbit/s in the categories Internet connection, handling, installation, versatility as well as deficiencies in the general terms and conditions. Only the ASTRA2Connect distribution partners Filiago and StarDSL could score in the evaluation and were classified “a real substitution for areas without DSL”. The ASTRA2Connect satellite technology is based on Newtec’s Sat3Play® technology and was launched in early 2007. With speeds of up to 4 Mbits/s and prices starting as low as 19.90 euros per month, ASTRA2Connect offers highly reliable, always-on, interactive broadband Internet access, especially for areas deprived of or with limited terrestrial broadband access. The customer premises equipment — a satellite modem, iLNB and satellite dish — is the lowest cost available on the market and provided with a Point&Play® tool for easy self-installation.
Nov 19, 2009, post by Satellite News
SES-Astra and the Italian public broadcaster RAI are launching an HD demo channel on the orbital position at 23.5 degrees East.
The channel is the first free-to-air (FTA) Italian HD demo channel developed by Astra, built to test the opportunities that HD can offer and it is addressed particularly to sector professionals and HD lovers. The channel will also serve as a showcase for the content of Yes Italia, a theme-based channel focused on tourism and Made in Italy, produced and distributed by NewCo Rai International.
This testing is part of a larger co-operation plan between the two companies to identify and develop new opportunities for satellite TV viewers.
Markus Fritz, MD SES Astra Italia, informed in a statement: “The collaboration with RAI represents an important milestone in SES Astra’s strategy to position itself as an alternative partner for broadcasters in Italy. As the leading satellite operator in Europe and driver of digital and HD television, SES Astra is expanding into new markets and is fostering innovation in the field of HDTV, mobile and interactive services. And the RAI HD demo channel underlines our strong commitment on this way.”
The move of RAI and SES-Astra is interesting as the Eutelsat Hot Bird position is the key position for the Italian DTH market with the two major Italian platforms, Sky Italia and the free-to-view TivuSat. Astra will expand its 23.5 position after the launch in 2010 of the Astra 3B, when the total number of transponders available will be 64.
Nov 18, 2009, post by Satellite News
SES-Astra is making good progress with HD+ in Germany, following the launch of the platform at the beginning of the month.
In an interview with Handelsblatt newspaper the company’s chief executive, Ferdinand Kayser, informed SES-Astra has a number of contracts with German broadcasting companies in the pipeline, including Tele35 and Das Vierte.
It is also believed to be in talks MTV Networks and DSF, a German sports channel.
SES-Astra recently informed a deal with Sky Deutschland for three additional transponders to allow it to offer more HD channels.
SES-Astra has approximately 90 HD channels on its satellites across Europe.
