Satellite TV firm EchoStar Communications and EarthLink, an Internet service provider in which Apple has an investment, have established “a strategic marketing alliance” to provide EarthLink’s high speed Internet access via EchoStar’s DISH Network., according to a CBS Marketwatch article (Subscription required) .
No word in the official announcement on whether the arrangement will offer compatibility with Mac systems. EarthLink hasn’t yet responded to MacCentral’s request for details. However, yesterday we reported that Hughes Network Systems, a provider of broadband satellite solutions, are shipping a new satellite terminal, the DW4020, that will extend the reach of the DirecWay two-way satellite broadband service from Windows based computers to Macs, Unix-based systems, and other platforms.
In January, EarthLink officials told MacCentral that their long-planned satellite Internet access for the Mac platform is at a standstill because they relied on Hughes.
“Basically with satellite, we’re at the mercy of Hughes Network Systems as far as a Mac version of the service goes,” Kurt Rahn, EarthLink’s director of corporate communications, told MacCentral. “We’ve been lobbying them for a Mac version of the software required to run the service, but so far, none has been forthcoming. Obviously, as Apple’s official ISP partner, we want to offer all our services to the Mac community, so we’ll keep on rallying for a Mac version.”
This roadblock appears to have been removed with the recent Hughes-DirecTV announcement.
EchoStar will offer bundled service packages through DISH Network retailers. Subscribers, the companies said, will receive credits of up to US$10 on monthly service charges. DISH Network expects to begin offering EarthLink DSL service late this summer. DISH also said it’s planning to offer a TV set-top box this spring combining the capabilities of DSL broadband and satellite television to deliver video on demand and other services, but there’s no word on what the service will cost, according to the CBS Marketwatch report.