Updated 13 hours ago

French to get 70Gbps super satellite

Orbital broadband takes off over the Channel

October 21st 2008 | Tell us what you think [ 2 comments ]

french-super-sat-will-bring-broadband-to-thousands-of-french-homes-and-english-holiday-cottages-

French super-sat will bring broadband to thousands of French homes (and English holiday cottages)

France is to get the world's fastest broadband satellite, thanks to Eutelsat and the French government.

The 70Gbps KA-SAT satellite, scheduled to go online in 2010, will bring high speed (ADSL 2-level) web access to rural communities and other unserved 'grey' areas.

The new satellite is part of the French government's 'Digital France 2012' initiative, which aims to bring broadband to every French home and business over the next four years.

Two-way TV

Eutelsat's consumer satellite broadband service uses bidirectional 'Tooway' technology similar to that already used by satellite broadband companies in the US.

Tooway requires a special modem and a 67cm antenna, and should be able to match ADSL for both price and speed when it's up and running.

America is scheduled to get the next high-speed sat, the ViaSat 1, in 2011.

Comment on this article
 

Your comments (2) Click to add a new comment

iggy82


October 21st 2008

2. I wish the british government would run an initiative like the french. How come the British invent brilliant technology, then all the other countries make it better and we're left in the dark!?

Alert a moderator

stewsofdoom


October 21st 2008

1. im the real stews of doom.

Stew say: french dont deserve it

Alert a moderator

Tell us what you think

You need to Log in or register to post comments

By submitting this form you agree to our Terms of Use and so are legally responsible for anything you submit. DO NOT submit anything which may violate the Terms of Use or another person's rights including copyrighted or offensive materials.