Gilat’s SkyEdge 2C platform. Photo: Gilat

[Via Satellite 04-18-2014] SES Broadband Services (SBBS) plans to expand its consumer Ka-band services to Germany and Italy over the company’s Astra 2E satellite. SBBS’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) started offering broadband services on Gilat’s SkyEdge 2C platform, offering Voice-over-IP services and providing up to 20Mbps to private households and small businesses in Germany and Italy.

“We are continuously enhancing our service offerings by providing satellite Internet services across Europe at speeds comparable to standard terrestrial and terrestrial wireless networks such as DSL, cable and LTE technologies,” said Patrick Biewer, managing director of SBBS. “Gilat’s advanced Very-small-aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology, featuring high data rates and cost effective terminal technology, allows us to further optimize our service proposition for the end-consumer market and to increase the competitive advantage of our satellite-based service Astra Connect.”