Newtec’s HTS ground tech will help power the Every Child Online (ECO) project. Photo: Newtec

[Via Satellite 11-10-2016] Avanti Communications has selected Newtec’s Dialog platform, including a Wi-Fi hotspot solution, as the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) ground segment technology platform for its Every Child Online (ECO) project.

The ECO project, which is a public-private partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Avanti, will provide affordable and reliable satellite broadband connectivity in its first phase to 1,400 schools and community sites across Sub-Saharan Africa within the next two years.

Newtec’s terminals will deliver the ECO satellite broadband services to all identified sites through Avanti and its service providers. These wideband DVB-S2X 500 Mbaud terminals combine the satellite connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot, including optional solar panels, and are part of the Newtec Dialog multiservice platform. ESA will initially deploy the ECO service in 32 Ka-band spot beams out of multiple gateways in Europe and Africa.