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Monday, June 18, 2001 With limited range of DSL and cable modems, satellite-based Internet providers want to attack markets in previously untapped rural and isolated regions of U.S., speakers said at satellite-over-Internet conference June 13 in Arlington, Va. Number of global broadband users is expected to triple by 2003, and satellite Internet providers will have to use current telecom networks to keep up with rapid growth, SkyBridge Satellite Senior VP David Finkelstein said. WildBlue Program Management VP David Bukovinsky said 20-30% of U.S. households currently had no access to cable modem or DSL service. WildBlue plans first commercial Ka-band spot beam satellite, which will be able to provide 2-way broadband Internet to entire U.S. in first quarter of 2002, he said. It will adapt "off-the-shelf" technology to achieve cost that "will offer consumers a price that's competitive with the rising DSL and cable modem prices," Bukovinsky said. He estimated consumer package would cost $199 for equipment, $99 for installation, $29.95-$69.95 per month for service. |
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