Europeans are set to have access to broadband internet connections following a deal between Italian telecoms company Tiscali and Gilat Satellite Networks.
Tiscali says that the system, which uses satellite broadband delivery, will be a pan-European offering and will allow high speed internet access to areas that are not wired up for broadband telephone connections.
“The service will offer always-on, high-speed internet access to consumer markets and small office/home office users throughout Europe,” the company said. It has started a trial of the service with a selected number of users and expects to launch a full commercial operation in the autumn. It is anticipated that the service will be available all over Europe by the end of the year.
“The benefits of this new technology help us deliver broadband internet to a community that would otherwise be without it, said Mario Mariani, Tiscali’s senior vice president, International Business to Consumer Division.
Tiscali expects to announce pricing and performance immediately before the commercial launch of the service.
