Two stories involving enhanced coverage and connectivity have emerged from Brazil this week – one involving satellite networks for enterprises, operators and aviation, and the other involving terrestrial internet access for schools.
Satellite network operator Intelsat says it has launched new services in Brazil that combine local support, new teleport facilities, and broader satellite coverage to deliver connectivity services to more users across the region.
They include new high-throughput satellite capacity. In this case, Intelsat 46e and Galaxy 28, positioned over Brazil and Latin America, will provide reliable connectivity supporting enterprise, mobile network operator, media and commercial aviation customers.
In addition, a new teleport facility located outside Rio de Janeiro will expand Intelsat’s existing global network and enable direct connections between Intelsat satellites and Brazil’s local terrestrial networks to reduce the distance user internet traffic has to travel. Operations centre expansion is also planned.
Meanwhile, according to local press reports, high-speed internet access in Brazil’s state schools is closer to becoming a reality. The resources of the Fund for the Universalization of Telecommunications Services (FUST), which are administered exclusively by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), will be used with the aim of establishing universal access in 138,000 schools by 2026.
This was announced during the launch of the National Strategy of Connected Schools (ENEC), which took place at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia. ENEC is coordinated by a number of ministries, and supported by FUST, which will offer financial support through refundable and non-refundable credit.
Projects can be submitted by telecommunications service providers, states and municipalities. The amount available for credit is R$ 1.2 billion (around 237.6 million). Another R$ 2.7 billion (US$ 534.6 million) is expected to become available by 2025.