ViaSat celebrates first year anniversary of Exede Satellite Internet Service

ViaSat, a leading operator of pay television, recently marked Exede satellite Internet’s first year of service. Due to the high and consistent performance of Exede residential broadband service, it now has more than 285,000 subscribers on ViaSat-1 in its first year of operation.

The ViaSat-1 satellite, officially recognized as the highest capacity communications satellite in the world with a Guinness title, powers the Exede satellite Internet service. Revolutionizing the current trend in Internet options, Exede has already surpassed other ISPs in providing promised Internet speeds to subscribers. As proof, 90 percent of Exede subscribers are receiving 140 percent or better of the advertised 12Mbps speed during peak periods. Additionally, 40 percent of new Exede subscribers now prefer this satellite service over other alternatives, like cable, DSL and mobile wireless for fixed home use.

In a company statement, ViaSat chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg noted: “Our results prove that driving down the cost of bandwidth can make satellite a better choice than slower terrestrial alternatives. The market success of ViaSat-1 strengthens our commitment to delivering a series of new satellites that push the boundaries of what’s possible in satellite broadband across a broad range of market opportunities.”

Gilat awarded $12.8M to provide SkyEdge II-c, Aries VSAT to Peruvian schools

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a leading provider of satellite networking technology, solutions and services, has won a three-year contract worth $12.8 million from the Peruvian Ministry of Education to supply SkyEdge II-c hub and ‘Aries’ VSAT equipment, installation, maintenance and technical support that will provide Internet connectivity to 2,600 schools in Peru as a way of lessening educational disparities.

In a statement, head of the Directorate General of Education Technologies Sandro Marcone Flores said that broadband-over-satellite is part of the essential component in the nation’s goal to provide access to computer technology to a growing number of Peruvian school children. They are also happy to have the strong track record of Gilat support Peru’s national initiative.

The SkyEdge II-c Aries built by Gilat is known as a compact high-throughput VSAT, designed to allow fast broadband services Fair Use Policy (FUP) while meeting cost efficiencies.

"This award complements the tens of thousands of schools around the world already supported by Gilat's VSATs," Gilat Peru and Colombia CEO Danny Fridman said. "We have been an active partner for the Peruvian government in several key communication initiatives in the country and we are proud to be part of improving the quality of education for Peruvian children."

GoGo to Deliver In-Flight Broadband Services to Commercial Airliners via SES Satellites

In-flight connectivity company GoGo and world-leading satellite operator SES have collaborated to provide Gogo broadband services aboard commercial airliners travelling to Europe, United States and the North Atlantic Ocean Region

Three SES satellites will be used for the commercial airliners: SES-1 serving continental United States; NSS-703 serving the North Atlantic; and SES-4 serving Europe. All satellites intend to allow the expansion of GoGo’s in-flight coverage. The company’s services via the NSS-703 aim to be changed to the new SES-6 satellite by mid 2014.

SES CCO Ferdinand Kayser said in a statement, “GoGo and SES are proof positive that the sky is no longer the limit, as we strike an important mobility deal that ensures seamless internet access for air passengers travelling some of the busiest routes in the world. GoGo has trusted SES to provide both the capacity and network support to enable its expansion over America and the exciting entry into the crucial North Atlantic Region and Europe. We look forward to playing a key role in this important communications advancement in global airline travel.”

GoGo is expected to commence its international internet services during the first quarter of 2013 on Delta Air Lines.

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Globecomm Systems Inc reaches milestone

One of the world’s leading communications provider Globecomm Systems Inc announced that it has reached a company milestone after delivering a host of connection platforms, VSAT and GSM solutions to over 3500 ships globally. The numbers present a milestone in the maritime sector.

The company, which takes strength from its managed network communications solutions, said that half of its customers are connect through Inmarsat platforms. Globecomm also provide software products to meet the fast-changing demands of clients.

Some of the core products supplied by the company include Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband, which enjoys a wide range of Ku band coverage, plus a network of 1,800 active Inmarsat terminals. Globecomm have also installed internet from satellite services and wi-fi networks in over 300 ships through a combination of GSM and VSAT technology.

Broken Hill site of teleport facility for NBN’s satellite service

NBN Co has chosen Broken Hill in New South Wales as the site of a satellite ground station to be built in support of the broadband project’s longer term satellite service. Already, NBN’s interim satellite offering has been servicing over 17,000 premises down under, with download speeds of 6mbps being sold wholesale to several Internet by satellite providers.

Broken Hill is considered the capital of the outback, and the new satellite ground facility will be built 9 kilometers away from the city, which is also connected via fibre to the nationwide broadband network. The facility will join the nine others being constructed across Australia that will uplink to the Ka band satellites also being built by NBN, and slated for a 2015 launch

Around 20 to 30 construction workers will be employed during the construction of the ground station in Broken Hill. Accordingly around 300 will be employed for the building of all ten satellite ground stations. Last month, NBN Co announced that it had already awarded contracts to two companies for the project.

Inmarsat picks L-3 as Global Xpress launch partners

British satellite communications company Inmarsat announced yesterday that it had chosen L-3 Global Communications Solutions as its launch partner for the land satellite terminals of the Global Xpress service. The new broadband service from Inmarsat aims to improved network activity as well as extended coverage. Global Xpress will be the first Ka band satellite service that will offer global mobile broadband coverage. It will deliver high speed internet on satellite solutions through smaller and more affordable ground terminals. According to Inmarsat the GX service will be delivered using three satellites the company operates.

L-3 GCS was chosen by Inmarsat because they are one of the leading suppliers of VSAT systems in the world. Since the GX technology will run on Ka band, L-3 provides the expertise and cutting-edge equipment that will be combined with Inmarsat’s own global managed services. The US-based company which deploys specializes satellite communications solutions will be providing the L-3 GCS' Panther, and Hawkeye terminals for the Global Xpress. Both companies expressed excitement in the delivery of the high-speed technology which has been designed to be reliable, especially with the transportable terminals which can be used for all sorts of missions.

Site for eight satellite ground station, chosen by NBN Co

The town of Roma in Queensland has been picked as the site for the eight satellite ground station to be built and operated by the NBN for its satellite services. Previously, three towns were chosen in Western Australia to go along sites picked in New South Wales and Tasmania. A total of ten teleports will be built to support to nationwide broadband project.

According the NBN Co’s spokesman Matt Dawson, Roma was chosen as the new site because of its ideal location and favorable weather conditions. The town is also close to critical infrastructure including the NBN’s terrestrial fibre network. The network operator plans to have ten teleports geographically spread out across Australia.

Mr. Dawson also explained that the project in Roma will create between 20 to 30 construction jobs. Aside from the three WA sites, NBN Co has also picked the town of Geeveston in Tasmania; Bourke and Wolumla in the state of New South Wales; and Ceduna in SA.

The satellite ground stations will support the internet service by the NBN while it readies long-term satellite service expected to start operations by 2015. Two ka band satellites are slated for launch on the same year to provide bandwidth capacity for the satellite internet services.

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