Intel to offer satellite downloads in Europe

In a pre-CeBit press conference today, Intel outlined plans to beam multimedia content to European end-users via satellite. The technology would allow Intel to bust the binds of telephone line transmission speeds for video and audio broadcast services direct to PCs.

The chip giant will partner with Luxembourg company Societe Europeenne des Satellites in a combination called European Satellite Multimedia Services (EMS). The joint company will offer a service capable of 10Mb/sec transmission speeds.

Users would need to buy a standard satellite dish and add-in card to receive the faster speed.