Straddling the equator, Ecuador is a country of striking beauty and rich culture—from the glaciated volcanoes of the Andes, to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon, to the astonishing biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. But the country’s extremes of geography and weather pose significant challenges to the delivery of communications services.
Connecting Schools and Healthcare Facilities
That’s why, in addition to its ongoing goal to promote digital literacy throughout the country, Ecuador’s Ministerio de Telecomunicaciones (MINTEL) has established an aggressive program called Ecuador Digital to connect schools and healthcare facilities throughout Ecuador by the end of 2011. As part of this initiative, Hughes is supplying its advanced HN System to Iseyco Ecuador, a major systems integrator and reseller in Ecuador. The Hughes technology will power delivery of high-speed Internet access and voice services across the country under Iseyco’s multi-million dollar contract with the Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CNT), Ecuador’s state-run telecommunications operator. Thanks to the MINTEL-funded program, modern communications services will be available for the first time to many educational and healthcare facilities in rural areas throughout Ecuador.
Technology and Cost Advantages
Capable of managing large networks with high availability and reliability makes the HN broadband satellite system ideal for the MINTEL project, which calls for an initial deployment of 1,500 terminals across the country. Fully compliant with the global IPoS/DVB-S2 standard, including ACM (adaptive coding and modulation), the HN is both cost-effective to operate and designed to support a wide range of bandwidth-intensive services. “
We chose to submit our bid using the Hughes HN System because of its proven technological advantages and competitive price,” said Patricio Teran, vice president at Iseyco Ecuador. “The HN System provides excellent optimization of space segment with higher throughput, allowing us to provide a very cost-effective service. As a bidder on this important contract, it was imperative to choose a partner whom we trust would meet our expectations and those of the government of Ecuador.”
Economic and Social Development
“Bringing broadband to businesses and people in all areas is essential for economic and social development, and our satellite technology offers the most cost-effective way to reach those who are unserved or underserved by terrestrial technologies,” said Robert Feierbach, vice president of global sales and marketing, International Division at Hughes.
“As Ecuador’s leading satellite system supplier, Hughes congratulates the Ecuadorian government and CNT on their vision of broadband for all,” added Hugo Frega, senior director of sales for Latin America.
Plans for Expansion
But MINTEL is not stopping at a mere 1,500 locations. The agency’s future plans include a total deployment of 6,500 terminals to connect all rural education and healthcare facilities throughout the country. Now, thanks to the power of satellite broadband technology—and the vision of the Ecuadorian government—schools, hospitals, and clinics in rural and remote areas will be connected to the world, empowering them to provide better education and healthcare services for the citizens of Ecuador.
|