ABS 3A’s Ku-band footprint over Africa. Photo: ABS.

InterSat and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) announced the launch of iDirect platforms on ABS 3A C-band and Ku-band beams. According to InterSat, these platforms will provide broadband internet across Sub-Sahara and South Africa, as well as serving French-speaking African countries.

With the growing demand for broadband internet services, InterSat said users in Africa demand services at low entry cost including hardware and bandwidth. InterSat with ABS can now offer Software Virtual Network Operator (SVNO) access to resellers in Africa to distribute and manage internet services at affordable pricing on both C- and Ku-band. Resellers can control their Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) network and manage services to their clients without the need for investment in hardware. InterSat will operate the services from its new teleport in Nairobi using ABS-3A’s pan-Africa beams. According to InterSat, both Ku- and C-band coverage offers excellent elevation across Africa.

“ABS-3A is a new choice for high profile broadband as well as broadcast distribution in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Europe and the Americas. Our VNO services in cooperation with InterSat will provide a cost-effective way for resellers and clients to establish a comprehensive communication network without the capital investment on a hub infrastructure,” said Flavien Bachabi, managing director of Africa for ABS.