Dark Fiber

TMCnet Contributor

Hughes Network Systems (News - Alert), a provider of broadband satellite network solutions and services, has shipped more than thousand Hughes HX terminals, in order to support satellite-based cellular backhaul connectivity for rural global system for mobile communications, or “GMS (News - Alert),” picocells of a major Southeast Asian cellular operator.

 

In addition, these HX terminals are being installed on maritime vessels to enable GSM cellular services aboard large, long-distance passenger ferry ships.

 

According to Hughes, its HX system is a high-quality satellite broadband system that is designed and optimized for carrier-grade IP broadband networking and specialized applications, such as mobility and mesh networking. The system comprising of economical gateway earth station and high performance remote terminals, are extremely successful because of its high-level performance, functionality and bandwidth efficiency.

 

The deployment of HX System in Southeast Asian region will support satellite-based cellular backhaul services in that rural areas. A combination of broadband satellite backhaul with GSM picocells will facilitate the operator with very low-cost solution - to support cellular services in rural areas.

 

This network will also support 3G wireless data and voice services in rural villages without the access to cost-effective landline communications. In addition, this deployment brings reliable backhaul connectivity into the capital city as well.

 

Ramesh Ramaswamy, assistant vice president, International, at Hughes, said that, for living in these rural areas, this will be the first time that they will have cellular services in their community.

 

“Hughes is deeply committed to providing solutions that meet the challenge of providing cost-effective communications services in rural and remote areas of the world,” Ramaswamy said.

 

The deployment was assisted by government-funded Universal Service Obligation funds that are designated to enable communications in remote areas of the country. More than 200 HX satellite terminals have already been installed. This on-going deployment will be completed by late 2009.