Start-up internet service provider Eurosky Ltd Friday launched a budget internet access via satellite service in the UK, to compete with Easynet Group Plc and Voss Net Plc. The Buckinghamshire company will resell capacity from Europe Online Networks SA, a Belgian ISP that has leased two transponders on the Astra bird at 19.2 degrees east. It reckons it can provide 2Mbps of dedicated software download, and four times ISDN speeds for regular surfing, for 20 pounds ($33) per month. This is cheaper than Easynet’s 50 pound ($82) offering, which offers speeds typically in excess of those currently available from ISDN lines via the EutelSat Hot Bird 4.
To receive Eurosky, subscribers need a satellite dish and DVB-MPEG2 card fitted in their PCs. Director Phil Sabin said his service is more attractive to consumers than competitors’, as most satellite TV viewers already have their dishes aimed at Astra to receive BSkyB Plc broadcasts. In addition to the subs fees, the company will make a small amount of cash by taking a share of the revenue created from the dialup return path, using British Telecommunications Plc’s DialIP service. It also intends to eventually sell software for download via its portal, which has yet to go live.
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