SES ASTRA has announced the creation of a new company bundling its successful broadband activities. The new company, ASTRA Broadband Services (ABBS), is a 100 percent owned subsidiary that will further promote and enhance SES ASTRA's portfolio of products serving the dynamic market for satellite-based broadband services.

A main focus of the new company is the further development and roll-out of ASTRA2Connect, a two-way high-speed internet service launched in April 2007, across several European markets.

ASTRA Broadband Services is led by Norbert Willems, as newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, who served in other management positions at SES ASTRA prior to this new assignment. Alessandro De Meo, also from SES ASTRA, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer.

Peter Schuler, responsible for product sales since the start of ASTRA2Connect, has been named Chief Commercial Officer, and Patrick Biewer, also part of the ASTRA2Connect team, is the new Chief Technical Officer.

"In the last year, we have experienced an immense success with the roll-out of ASTRA2Connect" said Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA.

"In order to further support the dynamic development and serve the high demand from different European markets, we have created this new company. It will fully focus on this promising sector and serve the growing number of customers. I am confident that with ABBS we have created a centre of excellence for our growing number of broadband customers."