Hispasat Teams with Quantis Subsidiary for Satellite Broadband in North Africa

Hispasat global headquarters in Arganda del Rey, Spain. Photo: Hispasat

[Via Satellite 03-03-2016] Hispasat has entered a partnership with Quantis and its Moroccan subsidiary Nortis, a leading operator in data, voice and satellite Internet services in Spain and Morocco, to provide satellite broadband services in North Africa.

Per the agreement, Quantis signed for Ka-band capacity on the upcoming Hispasat 30W-6 satellite, formerly known as Hispasat 1F, until the end of its useful life, estimated at 15 years, at a cost of approximately $137 million (125 million euros). Under construction by SSL, the satellite will provide coverage over North Africa, especially Morocco, after launching in 2017.

Hispasat currently has Ku-band capacity at this orbital position from the satellites Hispasat 30W-4 and Hispasat 30W-5. Both companies have signed another agreement to offer maritime connectivity for cruise ships, fishing fleets, ocean carriers and other ship companies from these spacecraft.

The service, which Quantis will offer through its own platform, uses Hispasat satellite capacity, which covers the waters of the Maghreb, from the southernmost latitudes of the region to the most central areas of the Mediterranean.