BySky to Provide Fast Internet via ASTRA-NET for Residential Users in the Netherlands

BySky, the Satellite Internet Provider based in Ruinen, Netherlands has signed a contract with SES Multimedia to use ASTRA-NET technology to deliver broadband Internet services at DSL speeds of up to 768 kbit/s to residential users in Holland The service is scheduled to launch in early April 2002.
Named " Fast Internet Anywhere", the service will be offered for less than 35 Euros per month to residential users via the ASTRA Satellite System at 19.2° East.

BySky will give residential users instant last mile access to broadband Internet services. Taking full advantage of the ASTRA-NET broadband satellite infrastructure, optimised for the asymmetric delivery of IP multicast and unicast services, BySky is able to connect users to its high speed services anywhere in the country via a small satellite dish, pointed at the ASTRA satellites. BySky service subscribers become broadband users via ASTRA connecting with existing phone line or ISDN networks, for the return path to surf the Internet at DSL speeds.

Edwin Alblas, Managing Director of BySky comments: " We are very pleased about this contract with ASTRA-NET, as it enables us to offer our new service, 'Fast Internet Anywhere', to users all over the country. Next to the complete geographic coverage, the instant last mile connectivity and the broadband quality of service, it is to the users' advantage to be able to receive over 200 digital TV and radio channels on ASTRA as well, including all Dutch public and private channels''

Peter Schüler, Business Director of SES Multimedia: "We are convinced that with the "Fast Internet Anywhere" service, BySky offers the Dutch market an attractive alternative solution for fast Internet access. In combination with the huge TV and radio offer, one can truly speak of a 'best of both worlds' solution."

Ben Woldring, Director of Bencom who is among the first users of BySky's Fast Internet Anywhere offer, comments: "As a resident in an area of Holland without broadband infrastructure on the ground, the ASTRA-NET broadband Internet service is a great solution."

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About BySky:

BySky was created as the successor to De Kooi Systeemhuis and the Internet provider De Kooi Internet Services. BySky offers satellite Internet products for both the Business and the Consumer market. It delivers the ''Fast internet anywhere" Internet solutions throughout the Benelux, independently of any infrastructure. BySky works very closely with World players such as SES ASTRA, Cisco, Cidera, Energis. BySky offers two types subscription for broadband users, ''BySky Fast" and "BySky Fast Plus''. Subscribers of "BySky Fast Plus" connect directly to the BySky network, dedicated to the "Fast Internet Anywhere" product, at local call charge. For both subscription types the maximum download speed is of 768k/bits. For further details, please visit: www.bysky.nl

SES Multimedia S.A.:

ASTRA-NET operated by SES Multimedia, is Europe's leading broadband IP/DVB satellite network service for the distribution of multimedia and data applications. ASTRA-NET enables service providers to use ASTRA for the broadband delivery of media-rich IP-based content to the general public and selected business communities throughout Europe and beyond. ASTRA-NET is a service of SES ASTRA S.A., an SES GLOBAL company. Please visit: www.ses-astra.com