SES S.A. has signed a service agreement with the South African information and communications technology provider SkyeVine (Pty) Ltd. for the delivery of its satellite broadband service in Africa. The agreement is the second for SES' ASTRA2Connect broadband platform on the African continent.

SkyeVine, a joint venture company between Q-KON and Ellies Holding Ltd., will provide the ASTRA2Connect broadband service to internet service providers, corporations and public institutions for resale in sub-Saharan Africa.

Q-KON is a South-African based engineering group that provides turnkey solutions and managed network services to the African telecommunications market.

Ellies Ltd is presently the largest manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and distributor of TV reception related products in southern Africa.

"Our agreement with SkyeVine is an important strategic step for the expansion of SES' business in Africa," said Norbert Holzle, Chief Commercial Officer at SES ASTRA.

"The success of our innovative broadband technology in Europe has already demonstrated that we are in the market with the right product at the right time. We are confident to continue this success throughout Africa as well."

"SES' broadband service will greatly enhance the broadband product offering in the African market," said Dawie de Wet, CTO at SkyeVine and CEO at Q-KON.

"Large parts of the continent suffer from a lack of broadband networks, but reliable, cost-effective broadband connections are necessary for the economy and society to keep up with the rest of the world. With our new product we can offer Africa exactly that."

ASTRA2Connect is an interactive satellite-based broadband internet access that is offered via distribution partners to end customers and businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The service is independent from any terrestrial networks and immediately available anywhere within the footprint of the satellite. To date, ASTRA2Connect has more than 65,000 end-users in Europe, thereby representing the largest satellite-based broadband network on the continent.