Gilat Satellite Networks and Hispamar, the Brazilian unit of Hispasat, are launching a new high-quality satellite-based broadband connectivity service in order to extend Internet access to the parts of the country that are currently digitally isolated.
The joint goal is to enhance the reach of Brazilian Internet service provider networks, thus making it easier for residents to access a high-quality service, helping to bridge the digital divide and promoting development in Brazil.
For this purpose, Hispamar will use the Ka band capacity of its High Throughput Satellites (HTS) Amazonas 5 (in operation since last year) and Amazonas 3 (launched in 2013), which have coverage beams specifically designed for Brazil. The Ka band allows the satellite’s power to be concentrated on smaller areas than traditional frequency bands. Together with the greater available bandwidth and the possibility to reuse frequencies that HTS technology allows, the amount of information that can be transmitted will directly increase, reaching higher speeds and achieving more competitive rates for end clients.
SkyEdge II-c, Gilat’s highly efficient multi-service platform, has been designed for HTS and supports a broad portfolio of small terminal solutions, which will enable high quality affordable broadband to multiple market segments. The user terminals are compact and easy to deploy, greatly improving performance of satellite-based connectivity.
The capacities in the Ka band of Amazonas 3 and Amazonas 5 cover 74.5% of Brazil’s population, representing more than 145 million people and 48 million homes. The advanced technology of these satellites, complemented by Gilat’s high performance Sky Edge II-c platform installed in the Hispamar teleport in Caxias do Sul, allows Hispamar’s clients to offer complete connectivity solutions without the need to deploy additional ground-based infrastructure apart from a small terminal.