WOODSTOCK, NB – In its second such announcement in as many weeks, Xplornet Communications said Wednesday that it has committed to Hughes Network Systems for a lifetime lease for all of the Canadian satellite broadband capacity on Hughes’ EchoStar XIX, scheduled for launch in mid-2016.
Xplornet, which currently offers high-speed Internet on its existing hybrid satellite and wireless broadband network, including on the existing Hughes EchoStar XVII satellite, said that it will be able to offer faster speeds and more data which will translate in to greater value to its rural Canadian customers.
In addition to satellite capacity, Xplornet will take delivery of satellite gateways, operational and support services, and consumer user terminals in a program that is expected to be worth more than $200 million.
Built by Space Systems Loral, EchoStar XIX will launch with over 160 Gbps throughput, about double the capacity of EchoStar XVII, which was launched in 2012 and is the primary platform supporting nearly 1 million Xplornet and HughesNet customers across Canada and the United States. The new satellite is being designed with next-generation architecture with more than 120 spot beams, facilitating the delivery of high- quality, high-speed services for at least 15 years.
“This agreement for all of the Canadian broadband capacity on the upcoming EchoStar XIX satellite is another milestone in our long and successful relationship with Hughes,” said Xplornet CEO Allison Lenehan, in the announcement. “This capacity will enable us to continue to meet the growing demands of our rural customers. We are investing to deliver on the promise of making faster, more affordable high-speed Internet service available for every Canadian – connecting them to what matters.”
