Hispasat Chooses Arianespace to Launch Two Satellites

Spanish operator Hispasat has selected Arianespace to launch two satellites – Amazonas-4A and Hispasat AG1.

Amazonas 4A will be launched by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz rocket in early 2014 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation using a GeoStar 2.4 platform, the new Hispasat Group’s satellite will be located at orbital position 61 degrees West. The Amazonas 4A satellite will carry a payload of 24 Ku-band transponders and has a planned launch mass of 3 tons.

Hispasat AG1 is the first mission of the Small Geo platform developed by OHB Systems of Germany with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Hispasat. Hispasat AG1 includes the regenerative Redsat payload that aims to allow the company to use the satellite’s power in a more agile and efficient way, substantially increasing its transmission capacity with the subsequent reduction in communications costs.

Hughes Network Systems To Deploy Satellite Network Services to Latin American operator

Hughes Network Systems has won a contract from a major telecommunications operator in Latin America. Hughes will supply an HX System backhaul service, enabling expansion of the Latin American operator’s GSM and WiMAX wireless voice and data services in rural areas.

This contract builds follows an initial HX System acquisition by the operator in 2009, which upgraded an earlier DVB-S network to the Hughes advanced DVB-S2 platform.

Level 3 Communications Expands Vyvx Services in Latin America

Level 3 Communications has expanded its Vyvx Solutions suite of video broadcast services in Latin America. The service leverages Level 3’s HD-quality IP fiber network. To date, Level 3 has signed agreements to transmit more than 35,000 hours of video over its network for companies in the region.

A number of broadcast companies in the region have recently begun using Vyvx Solutions to expand their presence in Latin America and beyond, including sports broadcaster ESPN Brazil, Terra and TV Azteca.