SES partners with ESA for satellite broadband initiative
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SES partners with ESA for satellite broadband initiative

Satellite provider SES has entered into a 22-month agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to support innovation in satellite broadband communications.

The deal will see SES’ satellite broadband subsidiary, SES Broadband Services, offer a variety of broadband services at special conditions to industrial companies participating in the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) applications projects let by the ESA.

The ESA initiative is aimed at making European industry more competitive through the use of satellites in functions including broadcasting, multimedia, mobile communications, data relay, search and rescue and aviation services.

“We are delighted to expand our cooperation with the ESA to support innovation in the European satellite industry,” said Patrick Biewer, MD at SES Broadband Services. “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.”

Through the agreement SES will encourage industrial players to develop satellite broadband applications and services by offering companies that participate in the ARTES Applications Programme preferential rates for broadband services.

SES will offer these discounted rates on both the pan-European and Middle Eastern beams of the ASTRA-3B satellite and the sub-Saharan African beam of the ASTRA-4A satellite.

"The special conditions offered by an operator like SES provide an important asset in the development stages of new space-based applications and services. It will help to stimulate good ideas and to build relationships right from the beginning of a project, and prepare for the launch of operational services at the project's conclusion," said Amnon Ginati, head of the integrated telecommunications-related applications department at ESA.

The agreement is valid until September 15, 2014.

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