Hughes Network Systems announced plans to offer new broadband services from space.
This week the subsidiary of Hughes Electronics launched Direcway, a package of satellite-delivered broadband services for homes and small businesses that can't get high-speed access through DSL or cable modem providers.
Using satellites perched above the Earth's orbit, Hughes Network Systems will transmit data, voice and video traffic to multiple sites though various service provider partners including America Online, Earthlink, Juno Online and Pegasus Solutions.
Hughes executives said the delivery speed will be comparable to that of cable modems.
The company will initially focus on customers in regions that aren't being served by terrestrial DSL or cable modem networks.
"There is a significant market out there that's only available to satellite," chief executive Pradman Kaul said in a statement.
Basic Direcway service starts at US$500 for the satellite dish, US$200 for installation and a monthly subscription fee of between US$60 and US$70.
Hughes Electronics is the nation's largest satellite TV provider, serving more than 10 million subscribers through its DirecTV service.
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