SES New Skies launched GSM backhaul services for Telikom Papua New Guinea (Telikom PNG), the satellite operator announced July 25.

Under a five-year deal, Telikom PNG, the main telecommunications provider in Papua New Guinea, will use 36 megahertz of bandwidth on the NSS-5 spacecraft located at 183° East. The capacity will allow Telikom PNG to expand into new regions and provide telephone services in areas with mountainous terrain by providing GSM backhaul between a number of sites throughout the country to the capital Port Moresby.

The financial value of the contract was not released.