[Satellite Today – 4-1-08] Astrium Services has selected iDirect Inc.’s satellite communications platform to meet increased service demands from government and commercial customers, Astrium announced March 31.
    Astrium has installed an iDirect 5IF universal satellite hub at its newly opened teleport in Toulouse, France, to support a four-year contract with France’s Economat des Armées, the French Ministry of Defense’s Joint Logistics and Supply Agency. The operator will extend Voice Over Internet Protocol, Internet broadband and virtual private network connectivity to more than 10,000 French service personnel deployed overseas.
    “Operators such as Astrium Services are advancing satellite communications, making satellite networks a smart and affordable investment for organizations that need to be globally connected,” David Harrower, iDirect’s regional vice president for Europe, Russia and CIS, said in a statement. “We are proud that our satellite platform was chosen to expand Astrium Services’ offerings, allowing French military troops to stay connected to their families and colleagues stationed around the world.”