BERLIN: Intelsat yesterday launched its broadband service that provides direct Internet access via satellite up to 10 times faster than dial-up in Europe.

The broadband service supports e-mail, web browsing, e-commerce and e-learning and is targeted at all business users including home-office user, small-medium enterprises, corporations, institutions and organizations. It also provides center service, technical and marketing support and space segment, hub and teleport. The platform supports multicasting, streaming, distance learning, corporate training and VPN services.

Service will be provided on a wholesale basis. It will be distributed through in-country and regional service providers to end-users. President, Intelsat Global Sales & Marketing Ltd., John Stanton says: "One of the biggest assets of the Intelsat Broadband Service is that it is a fully integrated and pre-engineered turnkey solution, so providers can get the service to market quickly and easily. With low capital investment, service providers can deploy their retail broadband service rapidly and cost-effectively."

The service utilizes the Intelsat 901 satellite located at 342E, the company's teleport in Fuchsstadt, Germany and Gilat's SkyStar 360E platform. Intelsat has commissioned and is operating a SkyStar 360E hub in Fuchsstadt. Intelsat is currently offered in Latin America, Europe and other key regions worldwide.

Broadband Service will be available for commercial sale to European service providers at the CWM Expo in Berlin, Germany from 3- 5 December.