Astra, Intersat Partner for Satellite Service in Africa

Astra Broadband Services and Intersat Africa launched satellite broadband in East and Central Africa in early February.

The Get2Net service is available in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, and Astra Broadband and Intersat have agreed to expand the service offering in West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guinea.

Intersat Africa is using the Astra2Connect broadband platform to market Get2Net. Customers will need a 100-centimeter antenna and a satellite modem. Get2Net can also be used for Voice-over-IP telephony.
 

DTS Rolls Out VSAT Broadband Service with iDirect DVB-S2

Data Technology Solutions (DTS) has launched the DTS Global Connect solution, an integrated satellite broadband offering for the maritime market.

Built on iDirect’s next generation Evolution DVB-S2 platform, the service works with a 60-centimeter Ku-band antenna. DTS Global Connect bandwidth can be shared among multiple vessels in a fleet to support bandwidth intensive applications.

Service is offered for flat-fee monthly and daily rates without the requirement to sign a one-year contract.
 

Measat Commences Service on AfricaSat-2

Measat Satellite Systems’ AfricaSat-2 entered service Jan. 13.

The satellite provides C- and Ku-Band capacity for telecommunications and broadcasting services across Africa, Southern Europe and the Middle East from an inclined orbital slot at 5.7 degrees East.
 

SES World Skies Activates NSS-12

NSS-12 has entered into commercial service.

The satellite, manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and placed at 57 degrees East, will provide DTH service through four regional Ku-band spot beams to the Middle East, Europe, Central and Southern Asia, and Eastern Africa. The satellite carries 40 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders with DTH power levels as well as beam interconnectivity and C-/Ku-band cross-strapping.
 

Thrane & Thrane Launches Maritime Mini-VSAT Service in Africa

Thrane & Thrane has activated its mini-VSAT broadband Internet and voice service for commercial and leisure marine users in and around Africa.

The mini-VSAT network aims to offer voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 kilobits per second for upload and 2 megabits per second for download at fixed monthly rates. The mini-VSAT Broadband service, along with the Thrane & Thrane Sailor 700 VSAT, consists of an end-to-end 24-inch VSAT antenna, service, and support package.

The launch is part of Thrane & Thrane’s joint effort with ViaSat to offer a seamless global broadband network for vessels in the African coverage area with Telesat’s Telstar 11N satellite supporting service over the Atlantic Ocean.