31st May, 2011 :: Today (31 May 2011) at Merrion Hotel, Dublin, European communications giant Eutelsat unveil their new pan-European high-speed broadband network which will deliver cost efficient broadband to the remotest regions of Europe and of Ireland, and incudes delivery on a promise of a new €7m groundstation at Elfordstown, Co Cork. The network goes live across Europe today.
Eutelsat have invested hundreds of millions in thier new pan-European infrastructure which comprises the worlds most powerful satellite, the KA-SAT, launched into orbit in December 2010, and a new 8 gateway network of groundstations in 7 countries to receive and re-distribute broadband. The service will be delivered to the broadband consumer as the Toowaytm product.
Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO said: “The entry into service of the KA-SAT programme opens a new page in affordable and immediately available IP solutions, and places Europe at the forefront of high-capacity satellite technologies. We look forward to working with our service and technology partners to unleash the huge potential of this new pan-European wireless infrastructure.”
Bruce Hannah, Chief Technical Officer, National Space Centre at Elfordstown Earthstation “National Space Centre is proud to be part of this exciting innovation, which positions Ireland as one of Europes top hi-tech economies.”
The 8 gateways and 2 additional backup stations are located at Cork, Ireland; Madrid, Spain; Turin, Italy; Athens, Greece; Berlin, Germany; Helsinki, Finlank; Larnaka, Cyprus; Udine, Italy; Scanzano, Italy and Rambouillet, France.
The Tooway product will be sold in Ireland by Onwave and Digiweb and will provide consumers with download speeds of up to 10 Mbps for households and 50 Mbps for business. Prices start at 1€ per day.