[Satellite TODAY 07-01-10]  SES Astra signed a satellite broadband deal with French WiMax operator Wibox for the distribution of SES Astra’s satellite-based broadband service Astra2Connect, the operator announced June 30.
    Wibox, a subsidiary of the French telecoms operator Altitude Infrastructure, will offer SES Astra’s broadband access to end customers, small and home offices as well as small and medium enterprises. The deal also gives Wibox customers access to VoIP telephony and TV reception from Astra’s 19.2 degrees East orbital position.
    “The Astra2Connect solution allows Wibox to offer its subscribers a universal service, including those who are not connected to terrestrial networks. Wibox can therefore always offer the right technical solution to connect its customers to the broadband Internet — no matter where they live,” Wibox President David El Fassy said in a statement.
    SES Astra has seen solid growth for its Astra2Connect service over the last year, more than doubling subscribers from 30,000 at the end of 2008 to 62,000 at the end of 2009. This Wibox deal is the second signed in June for the Astra2Connect service, following a deal SES Astra signed with Polish data network operator Nask to offer Astra2Connect to business customers in the Polish market.