[09-10-07 – Satellite Today] Eutelsat Communications and ViaSat Inc. are expanding the distribution system for the Tooway satellite broadband service, the companies announced Sept. 10.

The service will be extended beyond Germany into France, Spain and Bulgaria, using partners Sat2Way, Overon and Bulsatcom. Tooway is a broadband service designed for residential users who only have access to low-speed dial-up Internet.

Tooway will be offered via Ka-band capacity on Eutelsat’s Hot Bird 6 satellite at 13° East and will also be available via Ku-band capacity on the Eurobird 3 satellite. Three different service grades will be provided in Ka-band and Ku-band, with the initial offer delivering maximum downlink speeds of up to 2048 kilobit per second (kbps) and maximum uplink speeds of up to 384 kbps. Consumer tariffs and hardware prices will be defined by each service provider partnering in the distribution of the service.

Tooway is expected to be available in each country by the end of 2007.