[Satellite TODAY 05-22-13] Satellite service provider atrexx Ltd. & Co. KG has added a new service platform to its product portfolio, specifically targeted at meeting the broadband demand in Libya and Afghanistan. Two Ka-Band spot beams of Avanti Communications’ recently launched Hylas 2 satellite positioned at 31 degrees east, will now transmit atrexx’ 2way2sat services. These services include fast access to the Internet, always-on and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) functionalities. For the 2way2sat services, atrexx will use the new iDirect Evolution X1 satellite modem to provide lower hardware cost.

 

     Libya and Afghanistan, like other emerging regions of the world, are highly fragmented in terms of access to fast Internet services. Satellite technology is able to offer connectivity without the need for cable or fiber, which is often too expensive to roll out to more rural areas or to the desert.

 

     "With the advent of Ka-Band, we can now provide shared and dedicated bandwidth services at a much lower price than on legacy Ku-Band," Miriam Zude, senior key account manager at atrexx, said in a statement. "A customer will save up 55 percent on the monthly invoice for a starter bandwidth package and up to 67 percent on a premium service." 

 

     The new services allow customers to choose from different packages with bandwidths from 256 kbps to 2048 kbps. All services are without a limitation in traffic volume and most are on a monthly recurring contract basis. In addition, atrexx responds with individual offers to special requests for higher data rates.

 

     Using DVB-S2, the iDirect Evolution platform offers 30 percent more bandwidth efficiency in the outbound signal. In addition, Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) dynamically adjusts and optimizes the outbound for each individual remote station. This translates into higher resistance to rain attenuation and in an additional bandwidth gain of some 50 percent at clear sky conditions, according to atrexx.