The EU is set to launch the first satellite created to deliver broadband access to European consumers.
The Hylas 1 satellite will provide broadband together with a range of conventional telecommunications services (HDTV broadcast and data distribution services).
It represents 10 years of R&D by the European Space Agency (ESA) and European industry-- UK operator Avanti put up the majority of the budget, while ESA focused on its communications payload.
An estimated 20 million Europeans cannot get high-quality broadband access.
The satellite's communications payload is adjustable through its separate anetnna-- one transmitting wide Ku-band beam for TV broadcast, the other Ka-band for broadband services (directing 8 spot beams onto key European markets).
Its operator can fine-tune each beam's bandwidth and power.
Following its launch from Kourou, French Guyane, is a year-long demonstration phase showing the payload's flexibility and advanced broadband applications.