Artist rendition of SES-17. Photo: Thales Alenia Space

Argentine telecommunications company Arsat signed an agreement with SES for capacity on the recently launched SES-17 satellite to offer broadband services. Service under the multi-year agreement is set to start mid-2022, SES said in a Wednesday announcement. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

SES-17, which entered service last month, is the only high-performance Ka-band satellite covering the Americas with full coverage over the Argentine mainland. Arsat and SES plan for the service to “reach all areas of the country,” and improve broadband access for business and residential customers. The capacity will also be used for internet connectivity in public schools through an agreement signed with the Ministry of Education.

“It is widely recognized that improved connectivity services change people’s lives and transform the way industries operate, bringing far-reaching economic and social benefits. This agreement will allow us to continue providing high performance broadband services to improve digital inclusion throughout our country,” said Matias Tombolini, president at Arsat.

SES-17 operates at 67 degrees West. It was built by Thales Alenia Space and has 200 fully flexible beams. Thales InFlyt Experience is its anchor customer and will use capacity for FlytLive, an aviation connectivity solution for commercial aircraft across the Americas and the Caribbean.