Astra and AVC: first UK-wide broadband by satellite

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SES Astra has teamed up with network and communications operator AVC, to launch ASTRA - AVC Broadband, the UK's first nationwide consumer broadband internet-via-satellite service.

The high-speed package offering 512k download speeds, with unlimited Internet access will be available across the UK from 1 January 2004. The service is primarily targeted at the 29 per cent of UK households who do not have access to terrestrial broadband services.

There will be an initial installation and set-up charge, which covers the provision of a dish, cabling and USB satellite modem. AVC Broadband uses the regular phone line and modem for the return path (uploading), so customers can retain their existing ISP and email addresses.