EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK) announced the launch of its two-way high-speed satellite Internet access service. Called EarthLink Satellite Powered by DirecPC, the new service will initially roll out regionally on the east coast, followed by a planned full-scale nationwide rollout before the end of May.

The service costs $69.95 per month for downstream speeds of up to 400 Kbps and upstream speeds of up to 128 Kbps. There's a one-time charge of $649 for the equipment and $250 for installation.

"The ability to offer broadband service to virtually the entire country has been our ultimate target," said Tom Andrus, vice president of emerging technologies at EarthLink.

"By adding satellite to our product lineup, we will reach areas not served by cable and DSL."

EarthLink is also planning to offer cable-based Internet access to its subscribers. The company has definitive agreements in place with AOL Time Warner and Charter and has entered into technical trial agreements with Comcast, AT&T and Cox Communications.