Thousands of Europeans will enjoy their first access to broadband internet thanks to a new satellite launched Friday, owner Avanti Communications has promised.
The firm said the HYLAS 1 bird is the first of its kind outside the US, and will bridge the digital divide for rural consumers that have been unable to access fixed-line broadband connections.
The €120 million ($159m) orbiter was launched on an Arianne 5 rocket from French Guyana, and will be followed by a second satellite in spring 2012 that will extend coverage to the Middle East and Africa.
The two satellites will be able to support connectivity into 1 million households.
By year-end French satellite carrier Eutelsat will send a €350 million satellite into orbit, capable of providing broadband to 2 million households, New York Times reported.
Some 30 million European homes lack broadband connections, according to research firm Euroconsult.
“The launch of our satellite today means that access to broadband in remote areas is no longer on the distant horizon,” Avanti chief executive David Williams said.
Avanti has partnered with 60 operators in Europe to offer 2Mbps services to rural communities.
“[T]here is significant unmet demand which we can tap into,” Williams noted.
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