The European Union (EU) has launched a project intended to bring broadband to millions of companies and households in South America via satellite.

As it described itself in a May 30 statement, the EU-funded Broadband to Rural America over Satellite Integrated Links (BRASIL) program is designed to bring together European providers of broadband over satellite technology to promote digital video broadcast–return channel satellite technology, a European-developed open standard.

European companies and organizations involved in BRASIL include TriaGnoSys, the German Aerospace Center, the University of Bologna and Norintec. South American partners include Provisuale and Unisat.