(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 02, 2008 ) Betzdorf, Luxembourg – SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announced today that it has signed, through its affiliate ASTRA Broadband Services (ABBS), a framework contract with the Spanish cable operator TeleCable to market its satellite based two-way broadband service ASTRA2Connect in Asturias, a Northern region of Spain. The commercial roll-out to end-users will start in the first half of October. TeleCable will extend the distribution of the service to the rest of Spain in the near future.

For that purpose, SES ASTRA and TeleCable have reached an agreement with the installer association Fenitel, whose members represent the majority of the installation companies of Asturias. The 70 installation companies that form Fenitel will manage the installation and maintenance of ASTRA2Connect terminals for end users.

ASTRA2Connect is a fully satellite-based solution for broadband access, and is marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market. The innovative service offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access, including internet telephony, for flat service fees. The customer premises equipment – a modem and a satellite dish – is low cost and delivered with a tool for easy self-installation. ASTRA2Connect offers a unique possibility for households in regions without terrestrial broadband connection to access broadband services.

“The agreement with TeleCable allows us to extend the distribution of our highly successful broadband product ASTRA2Connect to Spain,” said Norbert Willems, CEO of ABBS. “The entry into a new market proves the continuously high demand across Europe for our satellite-based broadband offer. ASTRA2Connect is now being distributed across ten European countries by strong national partners. We expect to close further contracts for new markets and countries in the near future.”

“Together with a strong partner like SES ASTRA, TeleCable is now ready to provide broadband internet services across the whole territory of Asturias,” said Juan García Conde, General Manager of TeleCable. “We are confident that, by rolling out the product quickly in Asturias and extending the distribution across Spain in the near future, we will be able to establish a leadership position in this market.”

For further information please contact:

Markus Payer
SES ASTRA
+ 352 710 725 500
markus.payer@ses-astra.com

About SES ASTRA

SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 14 ASTRA and two SIRIUS satellites. The combined satellite system delivers services to more than 117 million DTH and cable households and transmits a total of 2,433 analogue and digital television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 46 High Definition (HD) channels concentrated on its main orbital positions, ASTRA and SIRIUS represent the most important HDTV platform for Europe's leading broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2° East, 28.2° East, 23.5° East, 5° East and 31.5° East.

SES ASTRA is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). SES owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company owns 90 percent of SES SIRIUS in Europe, as well as strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com


About ASTRA BROADBAND SERVICES (ABBS)

ABBS is a 100% owned subsidiary of SES ASTRA operating SES ASTRA’s new satellite broadband access ASTRA2Connect. ASTRA2Connect is marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market. The innovative service offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access for flat service fees. ASTRA2Connect offers a unique possibility for households in regions without terrestrial broadband connection to access broadband services.
Sold to end-users through domestic service providers in European countries and regions ASTRA2Connect closes the gap between the end user and the broadband technology and provides a high reliable and well performing broadband access service matching local needs.


About TeleCable www.telecable.es

TeleCable is the telecommunications operator Broadband Internet and Pay TV market leader at Principado de Asturias. Throughout its own fiber optical network, TeleCable provides TV, fixed phone and Broadband Internet services, offering its clients quality and proximity, always aiming to exceed their expectances and needs. In the current year 2008, TeleCable has begun the marketing of the brand new mobile phone service working as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), providing its clients with a telecom service in mobility.

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Contact Information:
SES ASTRA
Esther Tirado
Tel: (+352) 710 725 310
Email us


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