Eutelsat Communications and Facebook have selected Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER System as the technology platform for satellite broadband services that both companies are preparing to launch in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eutelsat and Facebook are assembling a dedicated infrastructure that will extend cost-effective broadband to areas of Sub-Saharan Africa beyond reach of fixed and mobile terrestrial networks.
Specifically, Eutelsat will use the JUPITER System configuration including three gateway stations, two centralized data centers, a network management system and an initial number of user terminals. This will be combined with the high-gain Ka-band spot beam capacity provided by Spacecom’s AMOS-6 satellite. The AMOS-6 satellite is due to enter service in early 2017.
The foundational technology in the JUPITER System is a custom–designed VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) processor employing a multi-core architecture and enabling more than 100 Mbps of throughput on every terminal in the JUPITER family.
“We evaluated all major broadband system vendors before selecting Hughes. Their decades of experience in satellite technology and the JUPITER System’s proven capabilities made it our preferred choice for this exciting venture with Facebook,” said Laurent Grimaldi, CEO of the new broadband company created by Eutelsat to steer its African broadband vision and business.
“Internet access is synonymous with economic and social development in today’s digital economy,” said Ramesh Ramaswamy, senior vice president, International at Hughes. “We are proud to be part of this important initiative to close the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa — connecting people to information and resources that can transform their lives for the better.”
Eutelsat Signs Facebook for AMOS-6 Satellite over Africa
Eutelsat Communications and Facebook announced a plan to leverage satellite technologies to get more Africans online.
Under a multi-year agreement with Spacecom, the two companies will utilize the entire broadband payload on the upcoming AMOS-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 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.
AMOS-6, which is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2016. is a Ka-band geostationary satellite configured with high gain spot beams for 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.
“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.”
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