[Satellite TODAY 03-11-13] Libyan satellite provider Sana is planning to offer broadband services to businesses and government organizations that are helping rebuild Libya through the help of Avanti Communications’ Hylas 2 satellite.

   Sana Spokesman Aimen Sabkha said satellite broadband is expected to play an essential role in the re-emergence of Libya after recent political instability. 

   “Thanks to the flexibility of Avanti’s Ka-band technology, we can optimize our services to create high speed resilient and secure networks for large enterprises and domestic consumers,” Sabkha said in a statement. “By using satellite, consumers can get connected and businesses can operate effectively which supports the economic growth of the country.”

   Only 5.5 percent of the Libyans have access to the Internet – one of the lowest rates in the Middle East and North Africa – and they connect at the slowest Internet speeds in the region. Sana anticipates that demand will to continue to rise in the region from the consumer, oil and gas, and government sectors. According to the company, there is demand for other applications such as television and radio. As fiber infrastructure improves, Sana also expects to provide backhaul support services in the future.