The so-called Rural Internet is about to become more accessible thanks to Hispasat: the satellite company reached an agreement with the Government of Spain to offer 100 Mbps download for 35 euros to the less populated areas of the territory. And we already know an estimated date: Before the end of 2023, 100% of the towns in rural Spain will have satellite coverage. Hispasat will also offer WiFi on board flights between Europe and America.
Large cities are those that enjoy better infrastructure, in all areas: given their high population, it is much more profitable to invest in these nuclei. On the contrary, the areas of the territory furthest away from the big cities suffer all kinds of deficiencies, also in relation to telecommunications: covering with fiber and 5G is not profitable; Hence, the institutions promote different actions in the process of solving the problem. Like the satellites.
Hispasat enters fully into the satellite Internet
The company, which is 90% owned by Redeia, not only manages its network of ten satellites, but also manages the services it sells through the platform. One of them is satellite Internet, a service that Hispasat will offer as rural Internet thanks to the agreement reached with the Government of Spain.
The award of 76 million euros achieved by Hispasat thanks to the UNICO-Rural Demand program will be distributed in two ways: 40.3 million euros will go to the configuration of the rural Internet service and 36 million euros to cover the registration of the end user. This was stated by the Ministry.
Apart from the award, Hispasat has communicated when it will begin to provide the Internet service and what scope it will have. The CEO of the company, Miguel Ángel Panduro, did it in an interview with the EFE agency during the last Mobile World Congress (via La Información): Hispasat plans to start the service this year to reach “all towns”, according to the delegate’s words. Initially, the download speed will be 100 Mbps, as agreed with the Government; rising to 200 Mbps in 2024.
And continuing with the satellite Internet, Hispasat will expand this service to those who fly between Europe and America. Miguel Ángel Panduro confirmed to EFE (via La Vanguardia) that Hispasat reached an agreement with Goog Inflight, a provider of WiFi in the cabin, to market access to companies such as Delta Airlines and American Airlines; with possible extension Iberia, Air Europa or Air France. In-flight satellite Internet coverage would begin in the summer of 2023 with packages that can be purchased at speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Via | The Information, The Vanguard