In rural Spain, as in many rural locations around the world, provisioning broadband service is not economically feasible using terrestrial technologies such as cable or DSL. But now, thanks to Telefonica España and Hughes Europe, people living and working in rural and remote areas of the country can access broadband communications for the first time.

In a project completed earlier this summer, Hughes Europe implemented the rollout of a high-quality HN System solution for Telefonica España to deliver satellite-based VoIP (voice over IP) rural telecommunications services, successfully meeting very tight deadlines imposed by the Spanish authorities. This rural network installation by Hughes is just the latest project in a longtime relationship working with the Spanish telecom giant.

The new network comprises more than 8,000 terminals for residential, small/medium enterprise, and local government customers. Based on the proven, highly successful HN System platform, it incorporates dedicated VoIP equipment, including IP gateways and voice servers, and shares resources with other Hughes satellite-based networks. For Telefonica, the Hughes solution offers the ideal combination of cost-effective equipment performance, lower operational cost, and comprehensive ongoing support.

“The rapid implementation of our HN satellite-based network enables Telefonica to provide a high-quality and cost-effective communications service to meet its Universal Service Obligation under Spanish law,” said Christopher Britton, managing director of Hughes Europe.

The new communications services are made possible through the installation of a switching center that interconnects the rural satellite VoIP network to the national Spanish telephony network. Telefonica’s new offering serves both new and existing customers, the latter migrating from the existing TRAC network (Telefonia Rural de Acceso Celular—Rural Telephony with Cellular Access) to the satellite-based VoIP network.

“Our relationship with Telefonica reflects a broader total commitment to our customers, solving often-complex technical problems in providing tailored solutions that are both proven and cost-effective,” added Britton.

Now, even in rural and remote mountain areas of Spain, customers can rely on service from Telefonica España to enrich their lives with all the benefits of broadband, including high-speed Internet access, voice/fax services, and emergency communications.