Network Infrastructure from Gilat will Connect the Communities of
Bufundi in Rubanda and Kibuku in Ntoroko; Enhance Economic and Social
Programs
LUXEMBOURG & KAMPALA, Uganda & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2018--
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized
Network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, announced that
Uganda’s Communications Commission (UCC) will utilize Intelsat satellite
services and Gilat Satellite Network’s ground infrastructure to advance
the deployment of 3G wireless communications infrastructure and expand
high quality, affordable broadband access for businesses and communities
in rural areas of Uganda.
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Under a pilot program, the UCC will use IntelsatOne Mobile Reach Solar
3G satellite services delivered via the Intelsat 37e satellite and
Gilat’s SkyEdge II-c multi-application platform to provide high-quality,
resilient and affordable broadband connectivity to two communities –
Bufundi in Rubanda and Kibuku in Ntoroko. The improved performance,
efficiency and lower total cost of ownership delivered by Intelsat 37e,
the fifth of the Intelsat EpicNG satellites and one of three
serving Africa, will enable Uganda to quickly and seamlessly extend
broadband connectivity to rural areas of the country in a cost-efficient
manner.
The objective of the remote connectivity project is to demonstrate the
ease of deploying the satellite solution and study the commercial
viability and sustainability of the solution. This effort will be
instrumental in helping to accelerate the Uganda government’s broadband
strategy, particularly its goal of achieving minimum broadband speeds of
3 Mbps and coverage of 100 percent of Uganda’s rural areas by 2020.
Committed to working with member states to achieve the United Nation’s
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the International
Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) played a critical role
in coordinating efforts and bringing the private and public entities
together to benefit the two communities in Uganda.
“Extending broadband connectivity and delivering fast, affordable
Internet services to everyone in Uganda remains one of the Uganda
government’s primary missions,” said Godfrey Mutabazi, Executive
Director of the Uganda Communications Commission. “With more than 80
percent of our population living in rural areas, this has been a
technological and budgetary challenge. With this combined effort and the
innovative approach the companies are bringing, we believe citizens in
some of our most isolated communities will experience the power of
reliable connectivity and the economic and social benefits it delivers.”
Mobile Reach Solar 3G, part of the IntelsatOne portfolio of managed and
terrestrial services, is an end-to-end, solar-powered managed solution
powered by Gilat cellular solutions, for mobile network operators (MNOs)
who want to expand their service footprint efficiently into ultra-rural
regions where traditional network buildouts are uneconomical. Under the
partnership, Intelsat oversees the space segment, traffic configuration
and project management, while Gilat Satellite Network supplies,
installs, and maintains the ground network infrastructure. This results
in a turnkey, solar-powered package that provides everything an MNO
needs to expand 3G service over a 2.5-kilometer radius, including power
supply, mono-pole, and all satellite and cellular equipment. For the
pilot project, MTN Uganda will integrate the sites into the core network.
“Satellite services have been at the core of communications networks
throughout Africa for decades, but too many people in rural areas remain
unconnected,” said Intelsat CEO, Stephen Spengler. “We continue to
improve the technology in space and throughout the delivery ecosystem to
make it easier to access satellite connectivity. But simply improving
technology is not enough to trigger the widespread expansion of
networks. The entire telecommunications sector needs to make it simpler
to integrate all technologies into a seamless network to truly overcome
the challenges that network operators and governments face. New business
models such as IntelsatOne Mobile Reach will truly solve the cost and
deployment problems associated with reaching rural populations and be
the tipping point in the effort to support economic growth, deliver
life-changing services, and connect all of Africa.”
“ITSO is strongly committed to working closely with its member states to
achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals of 2030,” said Patrick
Masambu, Director-General of ITSO. “Our hope with this pilot project is
that it will not only succeed at the Bufundi and Kibuku sites, but it
could be expanded throughout Uganda and further replicated in other ITSO
member states. We plan to organize and fund a training event that
highlights the benefits of satellite technology in Uganda and invite
other member states to witness the benefits this project on-site.”
“At MTN, extending the footprint of our network and services to ensure
that we connect more people has been and remains a high priority for our
company,” said Gordon Kyomukama, Chief Technical Officer, MTN. “As part
of our dual data strategy, we seek new and innovative methods to
efficiently expand our network to rural areas because we believe that
every society deserves to be connected. In doing so, we leverage all
technologies at our disposal and in this proof of concept, we have
partnered with the UCC, Gilat, Intelsat and ITSO to offer a greater
broadband experience. Today, we are bringing broadband connectivity to
two rural communities and fulfilling our mission—to brighten the lives
of customers that we serve.”
Supporting Resources:
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network,
delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services
anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the
world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure,
managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable
customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network
services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people
worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity,
multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and
seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one
that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries
and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
About ITSO
The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) is an
intergovernmental organization with 149-member states, that incorporates
the principle set forth in Resolution 1721 (XVI) of the General Assembly
of the United Nations, which established that communication by means of
satellite should be available to the nations of the world as soon as
practicable on a global and non-discriminatory basis. Originally
established in 1973 as INTELSAT, the International Telecommunications
Satellite Organization was restructured in 2001. The restructuring led
to the creation of a private entity, Intelsat S.A. and to the
continuation of the intergovernmental organization with a new acronym
(ITSO). ITSO´s mission is to monitor the performance of Intelsat’s
public service obligations and to safeguard the Parties’ Common Heritage.
About MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications
group, operating in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa
under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 December 2017, MTN recorded 217.2
million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin,
Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea
Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville),
Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda,
Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.com
and www.mtn.co.za.
About Gilat
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) is a leading
global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. With 30
years of experience, we design and manufacture cutting-edge ground
segment equipment and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end
services, powered by our innovative technology. Delivering high value
competitive solutions, our portfolio comprises of a cloud based VSAT
network platform, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move
antennas and high efficiency, high power Solid State Amplifiers (SSPA)
and Block Upconverters (BUC).
Gilat’s comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a
full portfolio of products to address key applications including
broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, in-flight connectivity,
maritime trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting the most
stringent service level requirements. Gilat controlling shareholders are
the FMI Private Equity Funds. For more information, please visit: www.gilat.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180504005506/en/
Source: Intelsat and ITSO and UCC and MTN Group and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
Intelsat Contact:
Michele Loguidice
Director, Corporate
Communications
+1-703-559-7372
Michele.loguidice@intelsat.com
or
ITSO
Contact:
ITSO
Renata Brazil David
Director of Legal
Affairs
+1-202-243-5040
rdavid@itso.int