Hughes EchoStar XVII to make satellite broadband more affordable

Maryland-based satellite company Hughes Network Systems says that its new geostationary satellite, the EchoStar XVII will help make satellite broadband more affordable. The new satellite, which was launched last July 2012, carries 60 ka band transponders, and has an operating life of about 15 years.

Hughes said that the EchoStar is powered by 85.5-foot solar arrays which can generate a minimum of 16.1 kilowatts of power to help deliver 100 Gb of data per second across North America, allowing companies like Frontier Communications to deliver high-speed internet on satellite services to rural clients and remote locations.

The new generation ka band satellite will help improve broadband access in rural regions where fibre optic cables are unavailable. Hughes also said the satellite broadband solutions is capable of supporting high-bandwidth applications.

NBN satellite ground stations now have contractors

NBN Co announced last week the it had awarded to construction companies contracts to build the ten-satellite ground stations which is part of the long-term satellite broadband service. The total worth of the contracts is around $180 million.

 

Senator Stephen Conroy, who is the Minister for Broadband, Communications, and Digital Economy, announced that Cockrom Corporation, and Perkins Pty LTD had been selected to build the teleports spread across Australia. Perkins will be constructing the four ground facilities located in Western Australia, while Cockram would be building the six satellite ground stations in SA, Tasmania, NSW, and Queensland.

 

According to NBN Co., construction will start early next year and is expected to be completed by 2014. The internet from satellite service is targeted at remote and rural clients beyond the fibre footprint of NBN or its fixed wireless services. Aside from the satellite ground stations, two ka band satellites will also be launched by 2015.

 

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