[Satellite TODAY 12-09-09] Hughes and Sky Perfect JSAT are providing capacity to expand satellite broadband services over Afghanistan to support increased demand in the region, the companies announced.
     Hughes Network Systems is delivering expanded broadband Internet services to U.S. military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq via the company’s new operations hub in Dubai. The service aims to enable military personnel to stay in touch with family and friends at home, including sending photos and videos, connecting over social networking sites and making Voice-over-IP telephone calls.
    Sky Perfect JSAT also is supporting an expansion of broadband services in the region by providing Hawaii Pacific Teleport with additional capacity on the JCSAT 3A satellite, located at 128 degrees East. 
    Hawaii Pacific Teleport will use the capacity to power Afghanistan Satellite, a one-hop C-band service which will cover all of Afghanistan and adjoining countries and provide two-way communications in excess of 2 megabits on small antennas with a 2.4-meter diameter.