ProStar, New DTH Provider, to Support Asia’s Expanding Market Demand

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 15/Satnews Daily/ — ProtoStar, a Bermuda corporation with principal U.S. operations in San Francisco, California, said on Monday it has secured initial equity funding from leading private equity investors New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and SpaceVest. 

ProStar was formed to acquire and operate high-power geostationary satellites optimized for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television and broadband Internet access services in the Asia-Pacific region. ProtoStar’s planned footprint will reach over 3 billion people in India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines and South East Asia.

ProStar said its system will enable in-country partners to offer subscribers a technically advanced, reliable, cost effective satellite television package, providing a robust subscriber experience. A first satellite is planned for launch in early 2006.

Philip Father, ProtoStar’s CEO, described the company’s business model as timely. “Much like we saw in North America and Europe, Asian markets are deregulating in order to meet market requirements for DTH services. ProtoStar is well positioned to offer optimized DTH capacity to its operator customers, meeting critical broadcast needs.”

Peter Barris, NEA managing general partner and newly appointed ProtoStar board member believes ProtoStar is in a unique position to serve a significantly untapped market. “In addition to a proven business model and demand driven market opportunity, ProtoStar has a seasoned management team and solid advisory board dedicated to meeting customer needs,” he said.