SES ASTRA has announced that it has signed, through its affiliate ASTRA Broadband Services (ABBS), a framework contract with the Spanish cable operator TeleCable to market its satellite based two-way broadband service ASTRA2Connect in Asturias, a Northern region of Spain.

The commercial roll-out to end-users will start in the first half of October. TeleCable will extend the distribution of the service to the rest of Spain in the near future.

For that purpose, SES ASTRA and TeleCable have reached an agreement with the installer association Fenitel, whose members represent the majority of the installation companies of Asturias. The 70 installation companies that form Fenitel will manage the installation and maintenance of ASTRA2Connect terminals for end users.

ASTRA2Connect is a fully satellite-based solution for broadband access, and is marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market. The innovative service offers a highly reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access, including internet telephony, for flat service fees.

The customer premises equipment - a modem and a satellite dish - is low cost and delivered with a tool for easy self-installation. ASTRA2Connect offers a unique possibility for households in regions without terrestrial broadband connection to access broadband services.

"The agreement with TeleCable allows us to extend the distribution of our highly successful broadband product ASTRA2Connect to Spain," said Norbert Willems, CEO of ABBS.

"The entry into a new market proves the continuously high demand across Europe for our satellite-based broadband offer. ASTRA2Connect is now being distributed across ten European countries by strong national partners. We expect to close further contracts for new markets and countries in the near future."

"Together with a strong partner like SES ASTRA, TeleCable is now ready to provide broadband internet services across the whole territory of Asturias," said Juan Garc�a Conde, General Manager of TeleCable.

"We are confident that, by rolling out the product quickly in Asturias and extending the distribution across Spain in the near future, we will be able to establish a leadership position in this market."