SES ASTRA, the UK's leading direct-to-home satellite company, and network and communications specialist, AVC, have teamed up to launch Britain's first consumer broadband internet-via-satellite service - AVC Broadband.

AVC Broadband boasts an end to the world wide wait for image, music and video files with 512k download speeds (almost ten times faster than 56k phoneline modems) and unlimited internet access for just GBP34.99 per month including VAT. There will also be a even faster 768k option priced GBP43.99 and a 256k service for GBP26.99.

These prices include a ready-to-use free-to-air digital TV package - 32 TV channels including national, regional, news, music, children and special interest stations, a movie channel, and over 90 radio stations - which subscribers can not only watch on their PC, but also record on the machine's hard disk.

AVC Broadband uses the regular phoneline and modem for the return path (uploading) - so you can retain existing ISP and email addresses. It is intended that there will be enhancements to the service including an email alert system that lets you know when you have emails waiting, avoiding unnecessary dial ups.

It is targeted at the 29% of UK households who do not have access to terrestrial broadband services - these are most widely available in urban and suburban areas but access drops considerably in market towns and rural villages. Less than 5% of rural areas are covered by terrestrial broadband according to the 2002 Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology report.

For many homes terrestrial broadband is still several years away and for some, such as those in remote locations, is unlikely there will ever be terrestrial access.

BT figures for October 2003 show that in Southwest England 46.8% of homes, 40.9% of schools and 53.4% of public libraries don't have access to terrestrial broadband; in Northern Ireland 52.6% of homes, 44.1% of schools and 49.4% of public libraries don't have access; and for Scotland the figures rise to 60.3% of homes, 59.1% of schools and 71.1% of public libraries.

But it is Wales that is easily the worst affected region - 65.4% of homes, 74.7% of schools and 80.8% of public libraries don't have terrestrial broadband access.

There will be an initial installation and set-up charge of GBP249.99 - which includes a 48cm elliptical mini dish (or 60cm dish where required), quad LNB, broadband USB satellite modem, software and all cabling - and a connection charge of GBP29.99. The same dish provides TV and broadband services.

All installations will be carried out by qualified AVC engineers who will ensure the system is working properly before leaving; this will include testing the PC and making sure that the satellite TV service is functioning correctly. The package will be available directly from AVC or from electrical and PC retailers, and aerial installers.

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