Base Marambio in Antarctica. Photo: Base Marambio

[Via Satellite 01-18-2017] Telefonica Moviles Argentina (Movistar) has launched Antarctica’s first 4G LTE mobile network. At Marambio Base, a permanent Argentine research facility in Antarctic territory, the most remote region on the planet, the only viable method of data communication is through a satellite network.

In addition to increased data capacity to support 4G service for the 70 permanent residents and 5,000 annual visitors at Marambio, the solution has increased network stability and reliability compared to the previous communication network solution, according to a statement released by the company. Telefonica’s deployment at Marambio has increased data transfer speeds from 1.5 Mbps to 20 Mbps.

4G data is transmitted and received through a point-to-point link between Balcarce Teleport in continental Argentina and Marambio base and uses NovelSat NS3000 High-Data Rate (HDR) satellite modems and the NovelSat NS4 software package that aims to boost capacity.