Satellite with Jupiter technology. Photo: Hughes

Canadian rural broadband provider Xplornet Communications entered into a contract with Hughes Network Systems, agreeing to a lifetime capacity agreement on the next-generation JUPITER3 Ultra High Density Satellite (UHDS), designated EchoStar XXIV. In a contract valued at more than $250 million over 15 years, the agreement is for approximately 50 Gbps of Ka-band capacity reaching more than 90 percent of the population of Canada, along with system gateway and consumer premise equipment and operational and support services. Currently under construction, EchoStar XXIV is expected to launch in 2021 and bring more than 500 Gbps of capacity across the Americas.

Powered by the latest JUPITER System technology, EchoStar XXIV aims to enable the continued growth of high-speed services for applications including consumer, enterprise, aeronautical, cellular backhaul and community Wi-Fi, and bridging the digital divide. The satellite is expected to deliver broadband services for 15 years and will join the largest fleet of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) across the Americas, all utilizing JUPITER System technology, including EchoStar XVII, EchoStar XIX, Hughes 65 West and Hughes 63 West.

“This agreement marks another milestone in our longstanding relationship with Hughes,” said Allison Lenehan, CEO of Xplornet. “JUPITER 3 is expected to provide the highest speed satellite Internet service in Canada, with download speeds of 100 Mbps, answering our customers’ need for fast and reliable broadband to connect them to what matters.”