Thanks to Global Invacom and ESA, you could one day distribute satellite TV programmes to devices around your home via the Internet.

Any device with an IP address, such as a smartphone, tablet, television or computer, can receive the broadcasts as long as it has the right software and is connected via wi-fi, Ethernet, power-line communications or LAN.

The system uses SES-Astra's SAT-to-IP protocol and was developed with support from ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme.

The demonstration system makes it possible to stream up to six different television programmes simultaneously and as it can be configured for 32 end users there are a possible 192 channels to view.

The system's ability to provide multiple channels in one building means there is potential for houses of multiple occupation, blocks of flats or homes where the occupants may wish to watch different channels at the same time on different devices without numerous satellite decoder boxes or extensive coaxial cabling.

Nader Alagha, ESA's Telecommunications Systems Engineer, explained, "We are really excited about the development of Global Invacom's new prototype for viewing satellite television.

"The demonstration system shows how the innovative distribution technology has the potential to change the way we view television around the home."

A follow-on project starting soon will add premium services to be delivered via IP.