SES Astra an SES Global company has signed an agreement with Canal Satellite, Canal+ Technologies, Newtec, STMicroelectronics and Thomson to develop a low cost satellite-based response channel for direct-to-home set-top-boxes. SES Astra owns and operates the Astra Satellite System, Europe's leading analogue and digital satellite television broadcast system, reaching in excess of 91 million homes in Europe. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SES Global the world's premier satellite operator.

The 49 million euro project will be funded both by the consortium and by the European Space Agency (ESA), through a contract under its ARTES program, which supports the development of advanced-technologies related to both the satellite and media industries. The contract between SES ASTRA and ESA was signed at the DTH World Summit for Pay-TV Financing in Paris.

Satmode (satellite modem), will provide an always-on satellite return path, in Ka Band through Astra 1H, between a digital TV set-top-box in a user's home and content providers. The interactivity enabled by the Astra return link will greatly enhance future applications such as video-on-demand, messaging, gaming. SES Astra says that Satmode will add a new dimension to satellite distribution for its media customers. The television industry is embracing all forms of interactivity and Astra's ability to provide satellite-based interactivity on a large scale, and at a low cost, will further encourage the development of additional interactive services.

When fully implemented, the Satmode system will enable simultaneous and real time responses by millions of TV viewers to choices, questions or other types of interactive material presented on screen. Since Satmode is fully integrated into the set-top box and connected to the satellite system, the use of telephone return channel or other terrestrial technologies will no longer be necessary on these set-top boxes. on in various types of shows.

ESA and SES Astra claim to be focussing on a market driven development, reflected by the partners cofinancing the development. Furthermore, SES Astra claims to be committed to the emergence of an "open system" which can be freely adopted by broadcasters all over Europe, through the release of the system interface specifications.