Posted: Tue, Mar 5, 2013, 7:59 AM ET (1259 GMT)

Arianespace announced Monday it has won a contract to launch two satellites that will provide broadband Internet services for Australia. Ariane 5 rockets will launch the two National Broadband Network (NBN) satellites on Ariane 5 rockets in early and late 2015. The satellites, built by Space Systems/Loral, weigh 6,000 kilograms each and carry Ka-band payloads to provide high-speed Internet services in rural areas of Australia. NBN said the launch contracts were valued at up to A$300 million (US$307 million).