WOODSTOCK, NB – Rural broadband service provider Xplornet Communications has contracted with ViaSat Inc. for all of the Canadian residential capacity on its upcoming ViaSat-2 satellite, scheduled to launch in 2016.
Xplornet, which currently offers high-speed Internet on the ViaSat-1 satellite, said that it will be able to offer faster speeds and more data throughput for its customers with the doubling of bandwidth efficiency expected from ViaSat-2. The company will also purchase network operations, annual network maintenance, gateways, ground equipment and subscriber terminals. The commitment is for the life of the satellite and the value is up to $275 million, depending on options.
ViaSat-2, which is being built by Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, will be based on ViaSat's next generation, Ka-band satellite technology and architecture. Viasat-2 is expected to approximately double the bandwidth economics of ViaSat-1 while simultaneously providing an extensive coverage footprint. The expected Canadian coverage area for ViaSat-2 will be from coast-to-coast-to-coast, including the North.
The ViaSat-2 system includes significant enhancements to the ViaSat Broadband System networking technology, and is designed to multiply the speeds offered to a level commensurate with high-speed fiber-to-the-node networks (FTTN).
"We are delighted to expand our relationship with ViaSat" said Xplornet president Allison Lenehan, in the announcement. "Our investment in the ViaSat-2 satellite will allow Xplornet to meet the future Internet needs of our rural customers throughout the country."
