Africa / Middle East News
Gilat Satellite Networks Subsidiary Reaches VSAT Installation Milestone on Dollar General Contract
Gilat Satellite Networks’ wholly owned subsidiary Spacenet has equipped its 10,000th Dollar General store with its SkyEdge VSAT technology.
Spacenet has been working with Dollar General since 2001 and has equipped all 10,000-plus Dollar General locations with Spacenet VSAT satellite connectivity. The VSAT service aims to provide all the store’s broadband connectivity prior to the deployment of terrestrial-based broadband, such as DSL or cable, which typically occurs within 45 days of opening.
SES Broadband Services Leases Astra 4A Capacity to Damy Engineering
SES Broadband Services has signed an agreement with Damy Engineering to provide 18 MHz on of capacity on the Astra 4A satellite covering Sub-Saharan Africa.
Damy Engineering started using the capacity, as well as the platform of SES Broadband Services for Internet access in Benin beginning in mid-September 2012.
Damy Engineering said its SES-supported offer would also include an online learning platform and free Internet terminals in post offices throughout the country. The company is partnering with La Poste du Benin and Nomotech to rollout the services.
SkyStream Purchases iDirect Universal Satellite Hub
Dubai-based satellite service provider SkyStream has purchased an iDirect Series 15100 universal satellite hub to extend and enhance the availability of its coverage for luxury yacht owners.
SkyStream said the hub would enable the company to offer Ku-band and C-band coverage using different satellites. With two iDirect hubs and one VNO located in Asia and Europe, SkyStream will cover two-thirds of the world with support for next-generation HD video conferencing, streaming HDTV and corporate VPN access.
SkyStream was established in 2004 as part of the Atlas Group International based in the United Arab Emirates.
Spacecom, Satlink Sign France 24 to Amos-5 Distribution Agreement
Amos satellite fleet operator Spacecom and SatLink Communications have reached an agreement with France 24 to distribute the network’s French and English channels to Africa via the Amos-5 satellite.
France 24 will use the Amos-5 Ku-band TV distribution platforms from SatLink at 17 degrees East to deliver its French channel to French-speaking Africa and its English channel to East and Central Africa. The network also will be utilizing SatLink’s content distribution capabilities to Amos-5 MCPC Ku-band platforms to allow them to distribute their content easily to DTH viewers at the French speaking and central Africa regions.