Avanti Integrates Newtec Sat3Play Hubs into Hylas Satellite Infrastructure

U.K. satellite operator Avanti Communications has installed Newtec Sat3Play hubs in its Earth stations to extend the IP broadband service range on its Hylas 1 and Hylas 2 satellites.

Avanti said the enhancement would allow customers to remotely manage and operate their own Newtec hub infrastructure, as well as to operate Newtec’s Sat3Play broadband systems for B2B and B2C customers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Avanti believes the combining of the Hylas 1 and Hylas 2 Ka-band satellites with Newtec’s self installable broadband terminals would enable the company’s customers to provide fast and easy Internet at highly competitive market rates.

Eutelsat Adds GE-23 Satellite to Fleet

Eutelsat Communications has acquired the GE-23 satellite from GE Capital for $228 million. The GE-23 satellite will be renamed Eutelsat 172A. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2012, subject to regulatory approvals. Eutelsat said that the purchase would be financed through its existing liquidity and that it expects the deal to add to earnings per share and EBITDA margin in the first year following the deal.

GE-23 was built by Thales Alenia Space and launched in December 2005 to serve the Asia-Pacific region from the 172 degrees East orbital slot.

The satellite provides Eutelsat with a payload of 20 Ku-band transponders accessing five interconnecting beams and 18 C-band transponders connected to a trans-Pacific beam. GE-23 also offers a broad range of telecom services to a diverse base of customers that will be integrated into the Eutelsat fleet.

iDirect Deploys Ka-band Hub for Bentley Walker Middle East Services

European VSAT network operator Bentley Walker has purchased a Universal 15000 series hub from iDirect to enhance the company’s satellite service offerings in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bentley Walker will run the new hub on Avanti’s Ka-band Hylas 2 satellite, which provides new satellite capacity throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Bentley Walker also will provide the Ka-band satellite capacity through multiple service models, including a managed service model and a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) model. Bentley Walker said the VNO would provide flexibility for its partners to manage their own services without the ownership commitment of a complete iDirect hub.

OnAir To Rollout In-flight Wi-Fi Service on ANA Aircraft Next Year

Japanese commercial airline ANA will rollout OnAir Wi-Fi service on its international routes starting in summer 2013.

ANA will initially launch the service on its ANA B777-300ER and B767-300ER fleets serving international routes. OnAir provides global coverage with a combination of more than 80 regulatory authorizations and its use of MSS operator Inmarsat’s I4 SBB network.

RRsat Launches New Ku-Band MCPC Platforms on Amos-5

RRsat Global Communications has launched two new Ku-band MCPC Platforms on Spacecom’s Amos-5 Satellite at 17 degrees East.

The two MCPC platforms, Ku-1 and Ku-3, will complement RRsat’s DTH service to the sub-Saharan region in West- and East-Central Africa, respectively.

Vox Telecom Receives Signals from South Africa’s first Ka-band Satellite

Vox Telecom has received the first transmission from Y1-B, South Africa’s first Ka-band satellite, the company announced.

Vox Telecom plans to use the satellite to bring affordable, high-speed broadband service to both rural and urban areas. Vox Telecom launched the service in May in partnership with Yahsat under the brand name YahClick.