Foundation Telecommunications Inc. (FTI) and SES Americom Inc., an SES Global [Luxembourg: SESG] unit, have agreed to a strategic partnership that will enable cable system operators to deliver broadband Internet connectivity. FTI’s new service is a high-speed, two-way satellite Internet backbone connection engineered for use in small system applications. The National Cable Television Cooperative has entered into a five-year agreement designating FTI as the exclusive satellite Internet service provider for its members.

FTI’s Internet connectivity service includes all equipment, installation and FCC licensing for the satellite system up to the customer’s RF system interface, delivery of Internet content to cable headends at speeds in excess of 8 Mbps, and end user trouble support. Internet content to and from the cable headends will be delivered via a combination of C-band and Ku-band capacity on SES Americom’s AMC-4 satellite.