Hughes Europe and Bentley Walker have entered into a partnership to launch Ka-band communications services into the Middle East over the Avanti Hylas 2 satellite.
   Bentley Walker has purchased three additional Gateway NOCs from Hughes as part of the agreement, which includes two HX System 4.0s to enable resellers to set up local Virtual Network Operators (VNOs). Bentley Walker said the agreement would allow the company to augment its existing Ku-band broadband morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) services to U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   Bentley Walker CEO Anthony Walker said existing users of the service would be able to benefit from an easy upgrade path to the new Ka-band service, which offers higher throughput speeds at lower cost using a smaller dish. “With our strong history of success working with Hughes Europe, together with Avanti’s reputation for technical excellence, we are delighted to be among the first resellers to take full advantage of the new Ka-band services,” Walker said in a statement. “This will enable us to offer higher speed packages, allowing soldiers to benefit from consistent broadband delivery at the speeds they choose.”