UK gets Eutelsat satellite broadband

Eutelsat is now providing satellite broadband to customers in the UK, the company announced today.

Under the name of Tooway, this first commercial offering from the company will see broadband connections available across Europe, using satellite technology.

Consumers can get speeds of up to 10Mbps download and 4Mbps upload by attaching a 77cm satellite to their building and using a small modem inside.

However, businesses can boost this speed more than four times the amount. Although the initial corporate offering stands at 40Mbps download and 10Mbps upload, Eutelsat confirmed this would soon rise to up to 50Mbps and 20Mbps respectively.

Eutelsat claims the satellite technique will help reach the millions across the UK and the continent not in range of ADSL connections, or increase the speeds of those struggling with below 2Mbps.

Michel de Rosen, the company's chief executive (CEO) said: "The entry into service of KA-SAT turns a new page in affordable and immediately available IP solutions and places Europe at the forefront of high-capacity satellite technologies that can serve to quickly close the broadband gap."

"We look forward to working with our service and technology partners to unleash the huge potential of this new pan-European wireless infrastructure."

Customers can choose whether to attach the satellite themselves or get a professional to do the task, but they will face either a 199 up-front fee or 9.99 monthly rental charge.

Prices for the connections will be decided by service providers in each of the countries it operates in.