You have to signup with fileplanet but that's free I think. I'm not sure if it's available for download elsewhere. I had a good time with the beta and am seriously considering purchasing it once I finish my console game backlog.
The game still has some bugs in it and they still haven't completely balanced out the unique weapons that each empire has. The most recent patch helped one empire perhaps a little too much. They also need to do something to change the gameplay so that points can be awarded for successfully defending a base and the game isn't entirely focused on the offensive base capture process.
Hopefully the game will be better by the time you get around to it. But as it is now, the game is compelling. A massive multiplayer online warzone.