Satellite broadband provider aims to boost UK service coverage

Satellite broadband provider Eutelsat has launched a new service with the aim of reaching areas of the UK not covered by fixed networks.

The firm's Tooway satellite broadband service is claimed to provide internet of 2Mbps to any part of Britain, no matter how remote.

According to the provider, customers need to purchase a satellite dish and modem to access the service, which is being delivered by the Eurobird 3 satellite.

Alongside mobilebroadband, this type of service could also play a big part in helping the government achieve its pledge of guaranteeing broadband of a minimum speed of 2Mbps to every UK household by 2012.

Arduino Patacchini, Eutelsat's director of multimedia and value added services, told VNUNet: "We are mainly targeting consumers who are underserved by other broadband providers, but packages for professional users can be provided by our partners."

He also claimed the service will be "unique" for consumers and that "no other operator has any comparable service planned".

In related news, Daily Telegraph technology journalist Matt Warman recently warned that connecting every UK-based consumer to fixed-network broadband could cost the government billions of pounds.