WOODSTOCK, NB – Xplornet Communications said Monday that it has entered into a lifetime agreement for substantially all of the Canadian satellite broadband capacity on Hughes Network Systems’ next-generation Jupiter 3 Ultra High Density Satellite, designated EchoStar XXIV.
Planned for launch in 2021, the bird is designed to provide coverage to 90% of Canada's population, and will bring about 50 Gbps of capacity to current and potential Xplornet customers, according to the news release.
Once in commercial operation, Xplornet's new Internet service is anticipated to deliver more data and the fastest residential download speeds offered via satellite in Canada, at 100 megabits per second.
"At Xplornet, we are extremely proud to invest in innovative, new broadband technologies that put rural Canadians first," said president and CEO Allison Lenehan, in the release. "We welcome the opportunity to continue our long-standing relationship with Hughes to add this third Jupiter satellite to our network, which will deliver dramatically faster speeds up to 100 Mbps to our loyal customers, connecting them to what matters."
In a contract valued at more than USD$250 million over 15 years, the agreement includes system gateway and consumer premise equipment as well as operational and support services.
"For more than a decade, Xplornet has teamed with Hughes for satellite capacity and equipment to help them bring the benefits of broadband to Canadians," added Paul Gaske, Hughes’ EVP and GM, North America. "We look forward to supporting Xplornet in delivering essential, high-speed broadband to Canadians for years to come."
Photo of satellite with Jupiter technology courtesy of Hughes
