PARIS, November 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) and CaribSat,
an Internet Service Provider, today announced the signature of a
distribution agreement for the IP Easy satellite broadband service
provided through the Caribbean
footprint of the EUTELSAT 8 West A satellite.
Starting in Guadeloupe,
CaribSat is offering consumers and small businesses Internet
connectivity with download speeds ranging from 512 Kbps to 6 Mbps
from €29.90 a month. The service will be extended to Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barth and
French Guiana from 1 January 2014.
CaribSat's selection of a satellite-based service meets its key
requirement to offer an immediate broadband connectivity solution
to users irrespective of their location. Whereas 66% of the more
than one million people living in the French West Indies and
French Guiana have a PC, only 50%
have broadband compared to 72% broadband penetration in
metropolitan France.[1]
"The agreement announced
today with
Eutelsat equipsus to accelerate
access to the benefits of digital for the individuals and small
businesses in the French West Indies and French Guiana who are still struggling with
dial-up," said Maryse
Coppet of CaribSat. "The broadband landscape in
these regions is poised to quickly evolve
and we look forward to serving the many
users impatient to join the digital
economy."
Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat's Chief Commercial
Officer, added: "This service agreement with
CaribSat immediately lifts the obstacles faced by
users beyond range of terrestrial broadband
to access a quality Internet connection. We
are delighted to share our expertise with CaribSat and
to contribute to bridging the
digital divide in the French West Indies
and French
Guiana."
The user equipment for the IP Easy service comprises a one metre
antenna and modem. Equipment costs are in many cases subsidised by
local communities in regions benefiting from funds allocated for
Internet connectivity. CaribSat is building partnerships with local
communities to accelerate the availability of financial support for
eligible users and today, on the Eutelsat stand at France's annual mayors' and communities'
convention in Paris, signed
agreements with six local communities.
About CaribSat: http://www.caribsat.fr
About Eutelsat Communications
With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach
of Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and
the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat
Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 30 September 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 4,700 television channels to over 200
million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle
East and Africa. The
Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV
contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband
markets. Headquartered in Paris,
Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical
and operational professionals from 30 countries.
http://www.eutelsat.com.
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1. ARCEP data from July 2013
SOURCE Eutelsat Communications and CaribSat
