The ARTES initiative is designed to promote the use of satellites in such functions as broadcasting, multimedia and mobile communications, data relay, search and rescue, and aviation services to increase competition among the European industry.

SES Broadband Services aims to encourage industrial players to develop new satellite broadband applications and services through the ARTES initiative. Participating companies will be provided with preferential rates for SES Broadband services on the Pan-European and Middle East beams of the Astra-3B satellite at 23.5 degrees East and the Sub-Saharan African beam of the Astra-4A satellite at 5 degrees East.

“We continuously foster product innovation to achieve and sustain market leadership. We are delighted to expand our cooperation with the European Space Agency to support innovation in the European satellite industry,” SES Broadband Services Managing Director Patrick Biewer said in a statement. “We see this initiative as a catalyst for new ideas, facilitating the design and launch of new applications for satellite broadband in Europe, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.”