SES Broadband and Damy Engineering have signed an agreement for the use of 18 MHz on SES' ASTRA 4A satellite.
SES Broadband Services, a 100% owned affiliate of satellite operator SES, have announced that it has signed an agreement with Damy Engineering for the use of 18 MHz on SES' ASTRA 4A satellite, covering Sub-Saharan Africa. Damy Engineering will start using the capacity, as well as the platform of SES Broadband Services, beginning mid-September 2012 for Internet access in Benin.
Damy Engineering will commercialise and install SES satellite broadband at attractive prices to individuals and schools in Benin. Its offer will also include an online learning platform and free Internet terminals in post offices throughout the country. For the rollout of the Internet access services, Damy Engineering is also co-operating with La Poste du Benin and Nomotech, a subsidiary of SFR, the second largest mobile operator in France.
"Although broadband access is a key factor for economic success and education, it remains a challenge in many African countries," said Patrick Biewer, Managing Director of SES Broadband Services. "We are delighted that Damy Engineering has chosen to use our platform to provide internet connectivity to improve educational opportunities for individuals and schools in Benin. It is an important contribution to bridging the digital and economic divide in Africa."
"How can we establish an Internet culture in a country lacking interconnection infrastructure, where cabled Internet (xDSL) is notoriously inaccessible and 'white zones' constitute the overwhelming majority of the national territory? It is within this context of seeking solutions to allow equal access to its platform that Damy Engineering became interested in alternative technologies for Internet access. SES Broadband Services and its world-class services have emerged as a compelling solution - proven and easy to deploy," said Charles-Joel Djikpesse, General Manager of Damy Engineering.
About SES:
SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 51 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite services to broadcasters, including the capacity to broadcast digital TV and HDTV content, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks.
