The ASTRA2Connect service

What is ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect is high speed, always-on, bi-directional broadband Internet via satellite, available for a flat fee to anyone, anywhere. Learn more about the benefits of ASTRA2Connect

What is the benefit of the bi-directional connection?

Because both the download and upload of data between the Internet and your computer is via satellite, ASTRA2Connect does not use, or require, any form of ground-based connection (eg telephone landline). Learn more about the benefits of ASTRA2Connect

Who can use ASTRA2Connect?

Broadband via satellite is available to anyone, regardless of location, and ASTRA2Connect is sold through local service providers in many countries across Europe. Learn more about where to buy ASTRA2Connect

What speed of connection does ASTRA2Connect provide?

There are four standard speeds of connection available to suit your particular Internet requirements:

• 256 Kbit/s download, 64 Kbit/s upload
• 512 Kbit/s download, 96 Kbit/s upload
• 1,204 Kbit/s download, 128 Kbit/s upload
• 2,048 Kbit/s download, 128 Kbit/s upload

For availability and pricing of the different connection packages, please refer to your local ASTRA2Connect service provider. Learn more about where to buy ASTRA2Connect

Are there any limits to my use of ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect is an always-on service (your computer can remain connected to the Internet at all times) and there is no limit to the time spent connected or to the volume of data that you can download. However, downloading an excessive amount of data within a month will instigate the “Fair Use Policy”. Learn more about the ASTRA2Connect Fair Use Policy

What is the “fair use policy”?

To prevent bandwidth abuses, ASTRA2Connect operates a Fair Use Policy that, for users who have downloaded an excessive volume of data in the course of one month’s use, can temporarily limit the connection speed – for that month and during periods of heavy overall use of the network only. Learn more about the ASTRA2Connect Fair Use Policy

Is an ASTRA2Connect Internet connection used differently to an ADSL connection?

In operation, ASTRA2Connect appears to your computer, and to you, just like any other broadband Internet connection, and you can use the same software for website browsing, email, etc, as does any other Internet user. Learn more about the benefits of ASTRA2Connect

Can I use ASTRA2Connect to make telephone calls?

ASTRA2Connect “VoIP” enables low cost telephone calls to be made using the satellite broadband connection, and the facility may be purchased from your service provider (if available). Learn more about VoIP with ASTRA2Connect

Can I receive satellite TV with ASTRA2Connect?

With the optional add-on TV pack of a multifeed clamp and quad LNB, and a standard satellite TV set-top box, you can use your ASTRA2Connect dish to receive and watch hundreds of satellite TV and radio channels, from either the ASTRA 19.2°E or the ASTRA 28.2°E satellites, as well as access the Internet. Learn more about TV with ASTRA2Connect

Does ASTRA2Connect support “triple play”?

Triple play is the provision of Internet access, TV and telephone in a single service so, yes, ASTRA2Connect can provide triple play. Learn more about the TV and VoIP with ASTRA2Connect

Buying ASTRA2Connect

Where do I get ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect can only be purchased from a local service provider, who will be able to provide advice, installation, and after sales service best suited to your use of the system. Learn more about finding an ASTRA2Connect service provider in your country

How much does ASTRA2Connect cost?

Your local service provider will set his own pricing scheme for ASTRA2Connect, typically comprising an initial cost of the equipment pack and a flat fee monthly subscription.
Find an ASTRA2Connect service provider in your country

How does the cost of ASTRA2Connect compare with ADSL broadband?

ASTRA2Connect is designed for use where other connections to the Internet are not available. Although slightly more costly than some terrestrial ADSL services, ASTRA2Connect has no infrastructure charges beyond the initial cost of the equipment and so it presents a low-cost alternative to the provision of landline services to such areas. Learn more about the costs of ASTRA2Connect from your service provider.

ASTRA2Connect equipment & installation

What equipment is needed to use ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect requires only a satellite dish fitted with the two-way iLNB, and an IP modem connected to your computer. Learn more about the ASTRA2Connect equipment

I have a satellite dish – can this be used for ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect uses innovative and advanced performance optimization technologies over satellite that require a certain size and quality of the dish. To ensure a reliable reception of the satellite signal for your broadband connection, you should use the dish supplied in the ASTRA2Connect equipment pack. However, you can also use the ASTRA2Connect dish to receive your satellite TV signals instead of your existing antenna. Learn more about the ASTRA2Connect equipment

Can I install the dish myself?

All the ASTRA2Connect equipment has been specially designed to be easily installed by the user. Alternatively your local service provider can install the equipment for you. Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

What cables or other equipment do I need?

All the cables and connectors required are supplied in the equipment pack. All you need provide is a wall or ground mount for the dish (depending on your circumstances) and some basic tools for the installation (eg screwdriver, spanners, etc). Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

How can I accurately point the ASTRA2Connect dish?

Full step-by-step instructions are provided with the ASTRA2Connect equipment pack and the dish incorporates unique fine adjustments for accurately aligning it on the satellite. No specialist tools are required as a special “Point&Play” tool is also supplied to clearly indicate when the dish is correctly pointed on the right satellite. Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

ASTRA2Connect technical details

Which satellite does ASTRA2Connect use?

The ASTRA satellites at 23.5°E are used for both downloading and uploading data for ASTRA2Connect. Learn more about the features of ASTRA2Connect

What sort of computer do I need to access ASTRA2Connect?

ASTRA2Connect requires no software to be loaded on your computer and can operate with PC (Windows XP or Vista) and Apple Macintosh (OS X) computers with Ethernet support. Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

Can I use ASTRA2Connect with a network?

The ASTRA2Connect modem can be connected by an Ethernet cable either to an individual computer or to a network router or switch. The connection from the router to your computer can be cabled or wireless. Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

How far from the computer can the modem and dish be?

30m of dual coax cable is supplied in the equipment pack to connect the ASTRA2Connect dish and IP modem. If this length must be exceeded, you should consult your service provider for advice. To connect the IP modem to the computer, an Ethernet cable of approximately 2.0m is supplied. You can substitute a longer cable if required. Learn more about installing ASTRA2Connect

Does ASTRA2Connect suffer from delay or “latency”?

All Internet connections suffer from some latency and because an ASTRA2Connect connection requires the signal to travel from the ground to the satellite and back again, this imposes a “satellite latency” of approximately half a second. However, the ASTRA2Connect system employs a variety of means to mitigate the effects of this delay, so it does not adversely affect normal use of the connection. Learn more about the features of ASTRA2Connect

How secure is an ASTRA2Connect Internet connection?

ASTRA2Connect employs 128-bit military grade encryption. It doesn’t transmit the user’s IP address and no passwords are stored on or transmitted from the user’s computer. Learn more about the benefits of ASTRA2Connect

Must the ASTRA2Connect equipment be powered all the time?

The ASTRA2Connect IP modem should be powered whenever the connection is in use. The IP modem takes a few minutes to initialise when switched on and so it is preferable to keep it powered except when the connection is unused for an extended period. The ASTRA2Connect equipment has a power consumption of less than 30W in use. Learn more about the ASTRA2Connect equipment