Azerbaijan telecom satellite meant for VSAT services, not ISP consumers

Internet service providers (ISPs) might be disappointed with Azerspace/Africasat-1, the first national telecommunications satellite of Azerbaijan, due to its lack of Ka-band transponders necessary for satellite broadband Internet services. The same, however, will not apply to VSAT service consumers.

Azerspace's owner-operator, Azercosmos, designed the satellite to provide VSAT technology services to large commercial customers. The Azerbaijani satellite is thus equipped with a payload of Ku-band and C-band transponders. The nature and service orientation of Azerspace makes it more expensive to deliver Internet from satellite services- perhaps too expensive for the tastes of ISPs.

At the same time, Azerbaijan does host a significant number of VSAT service consumers. Oil companies can use Azerspace-powered satellite communications solutions to stay in touch with their maritime assets and remotely run their pipeline infrastructure. Both Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company (CASPAR) and the State Maritime Administration (ARDDA) can leverage the new satellite to control maritime vessels. Azercosmos also predicted the possibility of reeling in commercial banks as customers.

The United States accounts for half of the global VSAT market. However, Russia currently enjoys the fastest-growing demand for such services. The agencies of the Russian federal government is currently implementing universal communication service and education throughout the country. In addition, large corporations, small and medium regional business, and private users all use satellite services.

Azerspace/Africasat-1a was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation and launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana on February 7, 2013. Designed for an operational lifespan of 15 years, its 24 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders can deliver services to VSAT users in Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Spacecom nabs contract with Southern African ISP for Ku-band VSAT services

One of the biggest Internet Communications Service Providers (ISPs) in Africa has awarded a $6.5 million contract to Spacecom for the provision of Ku-band VSAT satellite services for the next three years.

Spacecom will leverage the Ku-band beam that the AMOS-5 satellite dedicates to coverage of Southern Africa for the contract. The satellite capacity will power VSAT services that the the African ISP offers to customers in Southern Africa's commercial, enterprise, and public sector markets

Here comes the New Millenium VSAT hub series from Advantech Wireless

Here comes the New Millennium... The series of VSAT Hubs for HTS, that is, which are considered to be the most powerful Next Generation Satellite Communications products from Advantech Wireless Inc.

The New Millenium VSAT Hub takes a cue from the earlier Discovery Series of DVB-RCS Hubs. The Advantech product raises the bar when it comes to capacity, capability, and efficiency. A single New Millenium rack can support up to 20,000 remote terminals; provide 775Mbps of traffic to the remotes; spread the aforementioned traffic over 5 separate transponders/satellites and 480 TDMA carriers; and receive up to 240Mbps of IP traffic generated by the remote terminal population.

Designed to operate with C-band, X-band, Ku-band, and Ka-Band satellite frequencies, the New Millennium VSAT Hub supports Advantech's very own Satellite Interactive Terminals family of remote terminals. It also supports Star, star/mesh hybrid, and high-capacity SCPC.

Of note is the suitability of the New Millenium for the needs of Network Operators and Service Providers. Its scalability allows CAPEX expenditures to match network growth, its VNO capability lets its support large numbers of virtual operators, and its VPN capability establishes communications security for sensitive information transfers.

Recommended additional reading:

• KVH doubles capacity of maritime mini-VSAT satellite broadband network 

Intelsat capacity powers Digital Networks VSAT network expansion in North America

A multi-year satellite capacity agreement has been signed between Intelsat S.A. and Digital Networks. Capacity from the Intelsat satellite fleet and IntelsatOne terrestrial network will be leveraged by Digital Networks in support of its North American customers' very small aperture terminal (VSAT) communications networks.

Digital Networks delivers business-class satellite solutions to customers in the energy sector of North America. The company plans to expand its VSAT network in the United States and Canada using Intelsat's satellite teleport services and capacity from the Intelsat Galaxy 3C satellite.

Recommended additional reading:

• French fire, rescue services use Astrium, Cassidian satellite communications solution