Hispasat and Intelsat have reached an agreement to extend the contract signed in 2019 that grants connectivity capacity to the Amazon nexus. From now on, the satellite will offer its services in the United States, Brazil and the North Atlantic corridor. This boosts the offer of internet connection on planes in these high air traffic areas. It also allows to guarantee corporate backhaul services and the expansion of telephone networks 4G and 5G.
As a result of this union, Intelsat becomes one of the three main operators, together with tusass and Artelin taking advantage of all the advantages that Amazon Nexus offers and that represent more than 60% of contracted capacity. Greenlandic telecom operator Tusass will bring significant value to it, while Artel will provide the payload Pathfinder 2 aboard the satellite to the US Space Forces.
Since its launch into space the February 6, 2023 from Cape Canaveral, the Amazon Nexus has been incorporating all kinds of improvements so that from next summer it will be fully operational. Its efficient architecture will replace the amazon 2 in the orbital position 61º Westwhich will make it an ally to establish the connectivity in mobility environments like ships and planes.
I will bring a Transparent Digital Processor (DTP) last generation which will seek to increase the flexibility of the satellite and facilitate its adaptation to changes that may occur based on user demand. In this way, it will be bridge the digital divide in Latin America efficiently and agilely.
The objective of Hispasat is that the demand for capacity of connectivity services on board multiply by 12 until 2031according to data from Euroconsult 2022. In this sense, ignacio Sanchís, commercial director of Hispasat, has thanked the trust placed by Intelsat in this long-term agreement and strong commitment to Amazonas Nexus. Something that strengthens its position in the Americas.
For his part, Adam Troyvice president of network associations at Intelsat, has assured that the provision of connectivity services on commercial flights is essential to strengthen its offer in the markets for network services, mobility and commercial aviation in the American continent.
Strategic agreements for the infrastructure of Amazonas Nexus
In order for Amazonas Nexus to be a complete success, at the beginning of May Hispasat announced different agreements to complete its infrastructure. So that, isotropic will be responsible for the construction of two gateways in the USAone in the state of Nebraska and another in New Mexico, as well as a third Gateway at the INTA facilities in Gran Canaria.
The three gateways are designed and developed by Hispasat, adding to the one deployed in the teleport of hispamarsubsidiary company in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Starting in July, Hispasat will be able to offer uplink (uplink) and housing (accommodation) to customers who are interested in renting space capacity on said satellite to operate it with their own baseband equipment. To this is added a wholesale managed service through its next-generation platform Gilat SkyEdge IVdesigned for highly flexible satellites.
The launch of the Amazon Nexus
It was carried out in early February 2023 from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) of the United States Space Force station at Cape Canaveral, located aboard a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The Amazon Nexus has supposed an investment of approximately 300 million euroswhich represents a great advance for a company that is entering the new era of space economy. More than 70% has been financed with bank debt and own resources. The manufacture of the satellite has received a financing of 129 million euros, subscribed by four financial entities with the guarantee of BPI-France. It has also had 80.7 million in financing from EXIM-Bank for the launch contract, as well as launch insurance and initial operations in orbit.
The Amazonas Nexus is the fourth commercial satellite to incorporate a DTP and can be reconfigured in orbit if changes occur during its 15-year life. It was released into space 35 minutes after the rocket launch. The potential of Amazonas Nexus has led it in its first months to commercialize more than 60% of its capacityexceeding 30% of average capacity sold.
