[October 05, 2015] |
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Eutelsat and Facebook to Partner on Satellite Initiative to Get More Africans Online
Regulatory News:
Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL) and Facebook (News - Alert) today announce they are
partnering on a new initiative that will leverage satellite technologies
to get more Africans online. Under a multi-year agreement with Spacecom,
the two companies will utilise the entire broadband payload on the
future AMOS (News - Alert)-6 satellite and will build a dedicated system comprising
satellite capacity, gateways and terminals. In providing reach to large
parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Eutelsat (News - Alert) and Facebook will each be equipped
to pursue their ambition to accelerate data connectivity for the many
users deprived of the economic and social benefits of the Internet.
Spot beams for community and Direct-to-User access
Scheduled for start of service in the second half of 2016, the Ka-band
payload on the AMOS-6 geostationary satellite is configured with high
gain spot beams covering large parts of West, East and Southern Africa.
The capacity is optimised for community and Direct-to-User Internet
access using affordable, off-the-shelf customer equipment. According to
the terms of the agreement, the capacity will be shared between Eutelsat
and Facebook.
State of the art satellite technology to meet pent-up demand
Using state of the art satellite technology, Eutelsat and Facebook will
each deploy Internet services designed to relieve pent-up demand for
connectivity from the many users in Africa beyond range of fixed and
mobile terrestrial networks. Satellite networks are well suited to
economically connecting people in low to medium density population areas
and the high throughput satellite architecture of AMOS-6 is expected to
contribute to additional gains in cost efficiency.
Eutelsat steps up Internet activity in Africa
The capacity will enable Eutelsat to step up its broadband activity in
Sub-Saharan Africa that was initiated using Ku-band satellites to serve
professional users. Eutelsat is establishing a new company based in
London that will steer its African broadband vision and business. The
company will be led by Laurent Grimaldi, founder and former CEO of
Tiscali (News - Alert) Interational Network, and will focus on serving premium
consumer and professional segments.
Facebook continues Internet.org initiative
Two years ago, Facebook announced Internet.org, an effort to
accelerate the rate of connectivity by addressing the physical, economic
and social barriers that are keeping people from getting online. For
Facebook, this satellite system represents one of many technology
investments to enable cost-effective broadband access to unconnected
populations. Facebook plans to work with local partners across Africa to
utilise satellite and terrestrial capacity to deliver services to rural
areas.
"Facebook's mission is to connect the world and we believe that
satellites will play an important role in addressing the significant
barriers that exist in connecting the people of Africa," said Chris
Daniels, VP of Internet.org. "We are looking forward to partnering
with Eutelsat on this project and investigating new ways to use
satellites to connect people in the most remote areas of the world more
efficiently."
Commenting on the agreement, Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO
said: "We are excited by this opportunity to accelerate the
deployment of our broadband strategy and to partner with Facebook on a
new initiative to provide Internet access services in Africa. Eutelsat's
strong track record in operating High Throughput Satellite systems will
ensure that we can deliver accessible and robust Internet solutions that
get more users online and part of the Information Society."
For more information from Facebook: Derick Mains, [email protected]
About Eutelsat Communications
Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN
code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced
operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on
39 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting
associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service
providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites
provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa,
Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and
government communications to be established irrespective of a user's
location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the
globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37
countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to
deliver the highest quality of service.
For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com
www.eutelsat.com
- Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Eutelsat_SA
and Facebook Eutelsat.SA
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151004005103/en/
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