PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Viasat Inc said it has agreed with Eutelsat
Communications, Loral Space & Communications Corp and Telesat to work together
to expand broadband internet services via satellite.
ViaSat and Eutelsat are cooperating around ViaSat's Ka-band SurfBeam
networking system and a common wholesale business model to offer service through
ISPs, telecommunication companies, and direct-to-home television providers, the
US company said.
Eutelsat announced separately that it has selected EADS Astrium to deliver
its first satellite operating exclusively in Ka-band frequencies.
The satellite will form the cornerstone of a major new satellite
infrastructure programme that will significantly expand capacity for consumer
broadband services across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, while providing
new opportunities for local and regional television markets, it said.
In a linked move, Viasat said it has awarded a contract to Space
Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of the Loral group, for the construction of
Viasat-1, which it expects to be the world's highest capacity broadband
satellite.
The company has secured financial commitments from partners of over 100 mln
usd to date towards ViaSat-1, it said.
Eutelsat and ViaSat are already partners in Eutelsat's Tooway Ka-band
service using the Hot Bird 6 satellite, the company added.
Andrew.Newby@Thomson.com
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