Eutelsat today announced that consumers can now sign up for its innovative broadband satellite service, OPENSKY™ following an agreement signed this month with Internet Service Provider Everywhere! Broadband who is preparing to roll out the service throughout the UK.

Everywhere! Broadband is the first company in the UK to market and sell Eutelsat’s OPENSKY™ service to consumers. It is working with a number of partners who will support the delivery of the service to end users. The partners involved in the agreement are MGt for subscriber management services, DTS (Digital Television Services) for nationwide installation services and Hauppauge for the supply of USB DVB-IP set-top boxes.

The roll-out of OPENSKY™ in the UK follows substantial demand for broadband from consumers and small businesses. Recent figures from Oftel say that more than 44 per cent of the UK population is unable to access broadband through terrestrial means. However, with the forthcoming availability of OPENSKY™ consumers throughout the UK will soon be able to access an affordable satellite broadband service regardless of local infrastructure.

OPENSKY™ is an open standard service platform for both PC and Apple Macintosh users and offers access to a wide range of streamed video and audio content, high-speed Internet and fast file delivery. Customers will use dial-up access to receive broadband services via a satellite dish and through their modem. The new service offers Internet speeds of up to 1 Megabit per second - exceeding the capabilities of ADSL and cable services. It also delivers a full range of entertainment services including television channels, videos, music and games.

Pricing for the Everywhere! Broadband OPENSKY™ service is expected to start at £19.95 per month*. The company is now taking pre-registrations for the service at www.everywherebroadband.com

Antonio Arcidiacono, Director of OPENSKY™ Services at Eutelsat said: “We believe that the market for high speed Internet, videostreaming and fast file transfer shows great potential and are delighted to be working with our partners in the UK to launch the first affordable mass market satellite broadband service. We believe that the new service will demonstrate that the dream of broadband for everyone in the UK is now a reality.”

Commenting on the new service Graham Roberts, Managing Director of Everywhere! Broadband said; “This is the solution to the problems of providing the next generation of Internet services throughout the UK. It tackles the discriminating nature of ADSL - if the cables don’t reach your area you are stuck. Now anyone, anywhere, can take full advantage of this next generation of communications with the convenience and extended choice it offers.”

Jonathan Guthrie, chief executive of MGt said: “The decision by Eutelsat and Everywhere! Broadband to work with MGt further underpins our leading position as first choice supplier of services to the broadcast industry. We are delighted to have taken this project from initial consultation and defining the services required through to full implementation. MGt has established a proven track record in the provision of integrated outsource services and look forward to enjoying a close working relationship with Eutelsat and Everywhere! Broadband to ensure the smooth roll-out of this innovative and ground-breaking broadband service throughout the UK.”

Steve Mann, Business Development Manager at DTS said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract to install the new OPENSKY™ satellite dish package throughout the UK. We look forward to working with Everywhere! Broadband and Eutelsat to install this unique broadband downlink package”

Notes to Editor:

About Eutelsat

Eutelsat S.A. is one of the world's leading satellite operators. The company provides coverage across four continents, encompassing Europe, the Middle East, Africa, south-west Asia, eastern North America, and South America. Eutelsat's satellite infrastructure gives it the flexibility to offer direct-to-home broadcasting, video distribution and contribution services, corporate network solutions and a portfolio of IP applications including broadband Internet access and Internet backbone connections. From its strategic HOT BIRDŌ orbital position at 13 degrees East and other orbital positions, Eutelsat transmits more than 1200 television and 600 radio stations reaching an overall audience of more than 100 million cable and satellite homes.

OPENSKY™ Via Eutelsat

OPENSKY™ Via Eutelsat is the high-speed Internet access service developed by Eutelsat for the general public. OPENSKY™ Via Eutelsat allows Internet users with a modem-based connection to surf the Internet and download content at very high speed. It gives access to a multimedia distribution portal where more than ten types of thematic content are available, including Music, Cinema, Sports, Games, News, Fashion, Art & Culture and Education. Once the OPENSKY™ client software has been installed on the subscriber’s PC, access to the programme guide and reception of the content streamed and for downloading are possible with no need for a live Internet connection.

As an example, downloading a VHS quality MPEG4 film onto a PC equipped with the OPENSKY™ package takes on average less than 30 minutes, largely as a result of the satellite’s broadcast power (reception at 1.5 Mbps).

OPENSKY™ is broadcast via the W3 at 7 degrees East. It can be accessed by all countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The return channel uses Eutelsat’s platform at Rambouillet, which is directly connected to the Internet backbone and offers a complete, very-high-speed link via W3.

About MGt

MGt plc is one of Europe’s leading providers of outsourced business process solutions. Founded in 1997, MGt’s three divisions – Broadcast Services, Technology Solutions and CRM Outsourcing – provide integrated customer care, billing services and software to a wide range of sectors including companies from the broadcast, new media, travel, public and non-profit sectors.

Current clients include the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sony Entertainment TV Asia, B4U, Zee TV, Dundee City Council, West Lothian Council and the National Art Collections Fund. Based in Kirkcaldy, Fife, MGt currently employs 400 staff.

About DTS
Since the launch of Digital Terrestrial Television in 1998, DTS has installed more than 500,000 aerials to enable customers to receive digital TV. With more experience on digital reception issues than any other organisation in the country, DTS is the UK’s largest digital aerial installation network. DTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeva, the UK’s largest service and delivery company for consumer electronics and domestic appliances.

Press contacts:

Eutelsat – Citigate Communications
Kelly Grant or Magdalen Bush on 020 7535 9999; email: Kelly.grant@citigatec.co.uk or magdalen.bush@citigatec.co.uk

*Prices for the Everywhere Broadband service start at £19.95 including VAT There is a £99 charge for a standard installation and a satellite modem is available separately.