Start-up company ProtoStar said it secured initial equity funding from private equity investors New Enterprise Associates and Space Vest to support the company’s launch of direct-to-home satellite television and broadband Internet services in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has a planned footprint that covers more than 3 billion people in India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The system will enable in-country partners to offer subscribers a technically advanced, reliable and cost effective satellite television package. ProtoStar is planning to launch its first satellite in early 2006.

“ProtoStar is in a unique position to serve a significantly untapped market,” Peter Barris, New Enterprise Associates managing general partner, said in a prepared statement. “In addition to a proven business model and a demand-driven market opportunity, ProtoStar has a seasoned management team and solid advisory board dedicated to meeting customer needs.”

For more information regarding ProtoStar and the launch of its DTH service in the Asia Pacific Region, please see the March 21 issue of Satellite News. For more information on subscribing to Access Intelligence’s satellite industry news and information products, please visit us on the Web at https://www.satellitetoday.com.