Satellite broadband hits 20Mbps - Telegraph Although most UK properties are able to connect to fixed line broadband delivered over telephone or fibre-optic cables, satellite broadband provides a lifeline for many areas where it is uneconomic to lay cables. The services use a dish similar to that for satellite television, but have previously been limited to lower speeds and charged high prices. New packages from Eutelsat, branded "Tooway," aim to offer the 3.3million UK properties that can't get broadband above 2Mbps download speeds of up to 20 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 6 Mbps. It is delivered by KA-SAT, Europe's most powerful satellite. The first 20,000 customers will also be able to sign up to an unlimited data package. Prices range from £20 to £50 per month, placing the satellite service at the upper end of conventional broadband, but making it cheaper than many previous options. Jean-François Fenech, General Manager of Eutelsat's broadband business unit, claimed the packages "are another huge step forward in making universal high speed broadband an immediate reality for Europe." Packages from £40 also offer a bonus unlimited overnight consumption option, allowing downloads between 11pm to 7am which could be particularly useful for large files or films. Although equipment can usually be installed within a matter of days, it comes with a recommended monthly rental charge of around £5, meaning satellite broadband usually remains a slightly more expensive option.