Kacific Broadband Satellites

Kacific Broadband Satellites is a satellite operator developing a high-speed broadband internet service for the South East Asian region with a special focus on the Pacific.[1]

History

Kacific was formed in 2013 by Christian Patouraux, Mark Rigolle and Cyril Annarella. The company is registered in Singapore.[2][3] Patouraux and Rigolle had both previously worked at satellite operators SES and O3b Networks, at the latter of which Rigolle was CEO[4] and Patrouraux was chief product development officer.[5]

In December 2013, Kacific announced its intention to launch its first satellite, Kacific-1, which is planned to launch in 2019.[6][7][8] The satellite, a Ka-band high throughput satellite (HTS) in a geostationary orbit, will provide high speed internet to the 40 million people of the Pacific region.[9][10] Kacific plans to offer direct internet access, via wholesale channels, to government agencies, institutions, businesses, community groups and households within the satellite's total footprint area from 2019.[11][8] Kacific is currently operating a wholesale Ku-band service to customers within the coverage area, which began in Vanuatu in June 2016. [12][13]

In June 2014, Kacific signed a five-year agreement with Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation (TTC) to provide high speed internet bandwidth to TTC and the people of Tuvalu.[14][15] In August of the same year, Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Our Telekom) signed a five-year agreement with Kacific to deliver high-speed broadband to the people of the Solomon Islands.[14] The company signed a cooperation agreement in September 2014 with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the development of satellite communications capacity and emergency communications solutions for the Pacific region.[16] In October 2014, Kacific signed a five-year agreement with Telecom Services Kiribati Limited (TSKL) to provide high-speed broadband to the 33 islands and atolls of Kiribati.[17] At the end of 2014, Teletok the local telecommunications company of Tokelau signed an agreement with Kacific to deliver high-speed broadband across Tokelau and surrounding waters.[18]

In May 2015 Indonesian satellite service provider, BigNet, signed a US$78 million, long-term agreement with Kacific for the provision of high-speed broadband service from 2017.[19][20]

In June 2016, Kacific began an interim service, providing a high-speed broadband internet connection to the rural Lambubu area on Malekula Island, Vanuatu from a Ku-band satellite.[12]

In February 2017, Kacific announced that The Boeing Company will design and manufacture Kacific-1, its first satellite based on the 702 satellite platform.[8]

In September 2017, Kacific announced SpaceX as the launch provider for Kacific-1, using a Falcon 9 two-stage orbit-class rocket.[21]

Kacific has begun expanding its model to other regions of the world with plans to launch more satellites in the future.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Wagenen, Juliet Van. "Kacific Looks to Bring Connectivity to Remote Regions". Satellite Today. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "This satellite firm wants to be the 'budget airline' of the internet game in rural Indonesia". Tech in Asia. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Kacific Broadband Satellites Pte Ltd". Singapore Company Register. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Prosser, David (30 November 2010). "The Business On: Mark Rigolle, Chief executive, O3b". The Independent. London.
  5. ↑ Labrador, Virgil (1 March 2011). "Ka-Band Poised to Become Major Market in the MENA Region". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting – via HighBeam Research.
  6. ↑ "Satellite enabling better internet access could boost Pacific economies", Radio New Zealand International, 11 December 2013
  7. ↑ "TTC, Kacific sign Tuvalu broadband deal". TeleGeography. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Kacific puts in order for new Asia Pacific satellite", Radio New Zealand International, 21 February 2017
  9. ↑ "Boys, let's get rid of space junk". AsiaOne. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Wagstaff, Jeremy (27 April 2014). "From balloons to shrimp filled shallows the future is wireless". Reuters.
  11. ↑ Jackson, Randal (27 May 2014). "Kacific looks for potential investors in NZ". Computerworld New Zealand.
  12. 1 2 "Vanuatu village taking full advantage of new internet service", Radio New Zealand International, 21 July 2016
  13. ↑ "Kacific deploys satellite connections for Tour de Timor event", Telecom Paper, 31 August 2017
  14. 1 2 "Kacific inks satellite broadband agreement with Our Telekom". Solomon Star. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Momoisea, Leilani (13 June 2014). "Deal to bring high speed internet to Tuvalu". Radio New Zealand International.
  16. ↑ "ITU to boost communication capacity and emergency communication solutions for small island developing states". International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Press release). Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "Kiribati signs with broadband provider Kacific". Radio NZ International (Press release). Plus Media Solutions. 22 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "Teletok picks Kacific for broadband services in Tokalau". Telecompaper (Press release). 8 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "BigNet signs broadband deal with Kacific". Capacitymagazine.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Indonesia turns to satellite internet to fix broadband holes". TechinAsia. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "SpaceX to launch Kacific-1 satellite.", Telecompaper, 5 September 2017
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