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

Elara Comunicaciones builds iDirect VSAT network in Southeastern Mexico

According to VT iDirect, Inc., Mexican telecom supplier Elara Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. has begun creating a large-scale VSAT satcom network that will provide 2,717 towns in rural southeastern Mexico with voice and data services.

The new VSAT network is part of the “10K” government initiative under the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) of Mexico. It will link together thousands of villages in remote areas that lack access to modern communications infrastructure, and deliver voice and data connectivity to local citizens, government agencies, health care facilities, and schools.

Elara has selected iDirect as its satellite communications platform. Its local team of VSAT installation specialists are installing the satcom network at a fast clip.

The iDirect VSAT network will use iDirect X1 and X3 remotes to deliver multiple service levels that can scale up to 2 Mbps.

The new regional VSAT network will enter service in spring. Elara will ensure satellite service for the next two years. The Company mentioned plans to offer IPTV, Virtual Private Network (VPN) access, Hotspot Wifi connectivity, and fixed and mobile voice services in the future. 

Recommended additional reading: 

• HISPASAT orders extra Gilat SkyEdge II VSAT hub for Avanza national broadband network

HISPASAT orders extra Gilat SkyEdge II VSAT hub for Avanza national broadband network

An announcement by Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. revealed that it will be providing another SkyEdge II VSAT hub platform to Spanish satellite operator HISPASAT. The additional Gilat VSAT system will expand the existing broadband network and support thousands of new consumers who dwell in areas unreached or under-served by terrestrial broadband.

SkyEdge II will maximize space segment efficiency on the network through a combination of 32APSK Adaptive Coding and Modulation transmissions and the beam capabilities of HISPASAT-operated 1E satellite. This enables each 36 MHz transponder to reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps, allowing the Gilat VSAT hub system to ensure its high-speed Internet on satellite services are of high quality while also being affordable enough as an alternative to terrestrial networks.

Gilat and HISPASAT have been collaborating on the Spanish national broadband initiative Avanza. Spain is currently embarked on the third segment of its project to provide both terrestrial and satellite broadband connectivity to the entire country.

Cobham SATCOM adds TracStar VSAT to EXPLORER BGAN wireless portfolio

Cobham SATCOM is adding four new series of VSAT terminals to its famous EXPLORER BGAN portfolio. The new additions to the EXPLORER family come from the established TracStar portfolio of VSAT terminals. EXPLORER will be able to cover both BGAN and VSAT networks with its wide range of land-mobile satellite communication products.

The recently-expanded array of turnkey satellite communications terminals allows the Cobham SATCOM land portfolio to provide users with critical and flexible communications. EXPLORER products provide reliable voice and data links to users even in locations that lack traditional communication infrastructure. It enables voice communication, radio, data, fax, live video transmission, and other high-quality IP-based services for both BGAN networks and VSAT satellite links.

TracStar users will continue to enjoy the same level of service during the migration to the EXPLORER portfolio. Loyalists will be pleased to hear that the TracStar sales, engineering, and support staff will continue to create world-class mobile VSAT solutions and perform services in the field. Better yet, the EXPLORER team will be assisting its TracStar counterparts per the structure of Cobham SATCOM.

Cobham Satcom will shine light on its expanded EXPLORER portfolio at the Company's booth (4016) during the Satellite 2013 exhibition in Washington D.C.