European satellite operator SES has switched on the high-speed Ka-band satellite broadband service on its latest Astra satellite.
Customers of NordNet in France can now get up to 20Mbps downloads and 2Mbps uploads from the Astra 2F satellite, which launched in September 2012.
Patrick Biewer, managing director of SES Broadband Services, said: "SES is again pioneering satellite broadband services in Europe, being the first operator to offer equal features to terrestrial services and at a highly competitive price.
"We are convinced that the new Ka-band offer presents a great solution for users in remote locations and will significantly drive product sales in France."
Ka-band can target a region with small, high-frequency spot-beams, enabling a single satellite to reach more customers with higher data rates, at lower cost.
The new technology is expected to reach UK satellite broadband providers in 2013.
What is Satellite Broadband?
A single satellite can carry thousands of TV channels and can cover a whole continent, so it makes sense to use them for two-way broadband as well, especially for people out of range of land-based cable or ADSL.
The technology has moved on in leaps and bounds over recent years, and speeds now reach a reliable 18Mbps through a relatively small dish.
You don’t even need a phone line, as the service is directed through hubs owned by the satellite operators, and you can use the same dish for Sky or Freesat - although it will need to be slightly larger.
How does satellite broadband work?
Your computer or network router connects to a satellite modem, which converts data into a format suitable for transmission via satellite.
A specially-adapted satellite dish transmits your signals to the satellite in geostationary orbit, 33,600km above the Earth, which retransmits it down to a ground station where it is routed back to the internet backbone and continues its journey. Incoming data returns to you via the same route.
Satellite dish and broadband modem (c SES Astra)
Who provides satellite broadband in the UK?
There are three choices of satellite broadband in the UK: SES Broadband (formerly Astra2Connect) from SES-Astra, Tooway by Eutelsat, and Avanti Broadband.
Customers can buy satellite broadband through a variety of resellers. SES Broadband is distributed thorugh BeyonDSL in the UK. Tooway resellers include Avonline, Tooway Direct, Bentley Walker, Broadband Wherever, an Onwave. Avanti doesn't publish a list of resellers.
How much does satellite broadband cost?
All satellite broadband services use different satellite locations in Earth orbit, but very similar technology.
Prices start from £15/month for a 2Mbps downlink connection (256kbps uplink) with a 2GB monthly download cap on Astra Broadband, to £89/month for 18Mbps down (6Mbps up) with a 50GB cap on Tooway. SES Broadband also sells top-ups for more capacity and unlimited off-peak usage, while Avanti concentrates on business broadband.
Some resellers offer a free self-install kit with a dish and satellite modem - you’ll need your own router - but professional installs start at £100.
How does it compare to fixed-line broadband?
Satellite is an expensive way to get broadband that will only appeal to those who have exhausted all the other possibilities, although there are subsidies available in areas such as rural Wales and Scotland.
Usage caps are also strict compared to ADSL or cable, and the half-second or more of latency caused by a 140,000km round trip through space limits its usefulness for VOIP or gaming.
On the other hand, the same dish can be used to get Freesat or Sky, which will be convenient in many rural areas where Freeview coverage is also poor.