North America News

Intelsat, Digital Networks Sign Deal to Improve VSAT Communications in North America

Intelsat has signed a multi-year deal with Digital Networks, a provider of business-class satellite solutions to the energy sector. Under the agreement, Digital Networks will improve its support to VSAT communications networks in North America using Intelsat’s capacity via its satellite fleet and the IntelsatOne terrestrial network. Additionally, Digital Networks will leverage Intelsat’s teleport services and capacity on the Galaxy 3C satellite to expand its network in the United States and Canada.

Norsat Supplies Microwave Components for O3b Constellation

Norsat International has been selected as an authorized supplier of microwave components for O3b Networks ground terminals. Norsat will provide O3b custom frequency 5W and 10W Block Upconverters (BUCs) and Low-Noise Blocks Downconverters (LNBs) for the launch of O3b Networks’ next generation Ka-band satellite constellation. The constellation aims to deliver telecoms and data backhaul from remote locations and provide maritime customers with consumer broadband Internet services. This multi-million dollar, multi-year project aims to integrate Norsat’s LNBs into maritime systems in order for O3b to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service at sea by summer 2013.

SSL to Build Hughes’ Jupiter 2/EchoStar 19 Satellite

Hughes Network Systems has chosen SSL to build Jupiter 2/EchoStar 19, the world’s highest capacity broadband satellite, in a major new strategic move. The large, multi-spot beam Ka-band satellite is designed to have 50 percent more capacity than the Jupiter 1/EchoStar 17 satellite, and aims to meet the increasing demand for HughesNet Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service in North America. Jupiter 2 will be based on the SSL1300 platform. The announcement was made at the SATELLITE 2013 Conference and Exhibition.