ASTRA2Connect

FunkyDa

Any updates on if, and when, this system might be available in Ireland?

watty

They need to figure out a Satellite for it.

23.5E is used which needs progressively unsuitably large dish as you progress across Ireland South West of Sligo/Wexford line.

They want to put it on 28.2E, but then you can't use the same dish for TV. Ideally it wants to be on a satellite 5 to 8 degrees one side or other of our Main TV.
But of course Sky/Astra pinched Central Europe Slot of 28.2 instead of UK/Ireland having a less congested slot 5W to 25W part of the sky. I'm not too sure which Atlantic slots we should have had if Sky 1st hadn't messed us up in analogue days with 19.2E and then later 28.2E. Eutelsat was paid compensation.

I havn't heard anything for a few months.

Zaphod

It looks as though they are using Astra 1D at 23.5E, rather than Astra 3A, so dish size isn't such a problem in Ireland.

The main sellers are currently based in Germany.
http://www.filiago-shop.de
http://www.stardsl.de

German users forum.

Computer Bild review: http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tests-DSL-WLAN-Astra-to-Connect_1168944.html



There is also a review of Astra2Connect in Satvision magazine in German - August nr 124 - €1 to download.
http://www.satvision.org/tests/sv-tests_2007.htm

FunkyDa

Thanks for the replies,guys.

denis1501

SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has signed another service provider to its satellite based broadband service ASTRA2Connect. The contract partner National Broadband Services will specialize in offering ASTRA2Connect in Ireland.

ASTRA2Connect is a fully satellite-based two-way service solution for broadband access that can deliver dual- or triple-play services without the need for terrestrial support. This satellite solution offers a unique opportunity for two-way access in remote locations and rural areas.

According to recent official data of the National census of Ireland, 320,000 out of the 1.5 million households in Ireland do not have a fixed telephone line. Nearly 400,000 of the 780,000 internet-connected households are still using dial-up connections.

"The Irish market represents a significant potential for ASTRA2Connect, an innovative service that allows households in rural areas to get access to high-speed internet over satellite", said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "With this contract, ASTRA2Connect is continuing its successful roll-out throughout several European countries. ASTRA2Connect is a cornerstone in SES ASTRA`s strategy to expand interactive and digital services and further benefit from the technical advantages of the ASTRA Satellite System."

"We are absolutely delighted to have concluded this agreement with a world renowned partner such as SES ASTRA", said John W O'Brien, Chairman of National Broadband Services Ltd. "The Irish rural market has been neglected for so long by broadband providers with several hundred exchanges still to be enabled for broadband. Because of the widespread nature of individual house building in rural Ireland, it has not been an economic proposition for individual providers to try to serve the market. Now with the arrival of ASTRA2Connect we have the ideal product which can finally provide broadband to the long suffering rural areas at a price that the people can afford."

In Germany, SES ASTRA has already signed two contracts for the distribution of ASTRA2Connect, with the internet and telecommunication providers Filiago and STAR DSL. Filiago has also started to market ASTRA2Connect in Austria and Switzerland.

Source: SES Astra