Triple Play over Satellite, Ka-Band Making the Difference

Over the last years a number of operators have been deploying satellite-based consumer internet access services to reduce the digital divide and capture the market of households not covered by ADSL, cable or wireless broadband. These operators are proposing a step change improvement in the economics of consumer service, with lower terminal costs, broadband access with monthly fees comparable to ADSL and an integrated technology simplifying the process of terminal installation, provisioning and management. Until now, these services have been focused on internet access only. Now, full triple play services over satellite are available. This article presents Eutelsat’s European Ka band strategy for the Tooway service and its evolution through a dedicated Ka band-exclusive satellite (KASAT). It also explains Eutelsat’s choice in selecting the Ka band for interactive services, demonstrating the optimal consumer service synergy between existing Ku band and new Ka band services.