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.

Hermes presents new mobile VSAT unit with WiFi access to satellite Internet

A new mobile wireless VSAT solution has emerged from the development labs of Hermes Datacomms. The Company's new wireless mobile VSAT unit will supplement its existing services for customers in dangerous and extreme environments.

Mounted on a trailer, the self-contained system can deploy within four minutes at the push of a button. It will provide instant WiFi access to satellite Internet even in hot, dusty, or wet environments.

Hermes is reportedly highly enthused about the new VSAT system, which it describes to be even simpler and more reliable than the mobile systems the Company currently operates in Ethiopia and Kenya.

Both new and old Hermes Datacomms VSAT systems leverage the high-power C-band beams and regional Ku-band beams of the AMOS-5 satellite.

Astrium Services widens maritime VSAT bandwidth, services, coverage

Astrium Services made it known that the major extensions to their worldwide VSAT satellite communications services have been completed. The Company can now provide greater bandwidth, more services, and the broadest commercially-available global coverage through a larger number of small maritime VSAT antenna.

Back in September 2012, Astrium Services announced that it has improved the coverage and service of its Pharostar, Sealink, and Wavecall brands. The three Astrium maritime VSAT services use iDirect technology to meet the maritime market's need for high-performance broadband connectivity.

Astrium had boosted data throughput speeds for both standardized VSAT systems and the Sealink custom solutions. Standard very small aperture terminals can reach 3 Mbps while Sealink solutions can hit up to 10 Mbps. This means faster data transfers and more cost-efficient connections for maritime vessels who use Astrium services.

The improved speeds of Astrium VSAT services will be able to provide fast and always-on connectivity to maritime applications such as Internet from satellite access, email, voice calls, fax and SMS, database backup, video and file transfer protocol for business and crew communications.

In addition, Astrium has completed its geographical coverage extensions over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in October 2012. The Company expects to extend its services to the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean before the year ends. Astrium VSAT service customers will automatically receive coverage in the new areas. 

The Astrium services can also be combined with both Ku-band and complimentary MSS connectivity, allowing the maritime vessel to stay connected even outside VSAT coverage zones. Another optional is the Vizada XChange control platform, which can enhance the VSAT extension through its remote fleet management services.