Easter Island statue. Photo: Business Wire

[Via Satellite 03-10-2016] Entel Bolivia has selected Hughes Network Systems’ Jupiter system as the platform for a new high-availability satellite broadband network to extend cellular and Internet access in remote areas. Under the terms of the agreement, Hughes will provide a Jupiter system gateway and approximately 550 terminals to power Entel’s delivery of Internet access service in remote areas and for satellite backhaul of 3G and 4G LTE cellular base stations. The services will operate in the Ku-band satellite spectrum over the Túpac Katari 1 satellite.

Additionally, Entel has deployed O3b Networks’ O3bTrunk solution enabling 3G and LTE services to Easter Island, as well as broadband Internet access for customers. O3b Networks will provide backhaul through its constellation of satellites to offer fiber-like connectivity to the island. The project was implemented with the support of Subtel, Chile’s regulatory body, which is implementing a national connectivity agenda to bring broadband services to all Chileans.

With the new satellite link, Entel will deliver better services and options for communications, both on and from the island. Easter Island is the most remote part of the Entel network, almost 3,700 km from mainland Chile in the Polynesian Triangle, making deployment of broadband services especially challenging.