Cascavel, Parana, Brazil. Photo: Victor Carvalho (Flickr)

[Via Satellite 01-19-2016] Advantech Wireless has received an order for Ka-Band hub facilities from Telebras, the Brazilian telecommunications infrastructure company, in support of the Programa Nacional de Banda Larga (PNBL), Brazil’s national broadband access initiative. Under the contract, Advantech will provide the hardware to build Ka-Band satellite network hub facilities at five sites in Brazil. The hub stations will work on Brazil’s Strategic Communications Geostationary Satellite (SGDC) system, slated for launch this year aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. SGDC is under development in Brazil with support from Thales Alenia Space. The new infrastructure will support Advantech Wireless’ ASAT 2 High Throughput Satellite (HTS) networking equipment as well as legacy Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) equipment from other vendors. Under the contract, Advantech Wireless will install, integrate and supervise initial operation of the provided systems.

The PNBL initiative aims to increase broadband penetration in Brazil by covering 40 million households, or about 70 percent of the population. Telebras will act as a wholesale operator, providing infrastructure and network capacity for Brazil’s broadband providers, government, municipalities and nonprofit organizations including schools, hospitals, community tele-centers and other points of public interest.

“Brazil, as one of the largest economies in the world, has recognized the need for universal broadband access to continue effective growth for business, consumers, and currently underserved populations,” said Steve Richeson, SVP of global sales at Advantech Wireless. “We will be supporting new and faster broadband access to many households, businesses, broadcasters and industries, ramping up the nation’s economy.”