MARKHAM, ON - Xplornet Communications Inc. is delighted to announce the successful launch of ViaSat-1, North America's first 4G broadband satellite. The satellite was launched from the BaikonurCosmodrome in Kazakhstan,and will be stationed in geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km.
A game-changer in terms of ubiquitous broadband access in Canada, ViaSat-1 will allow for previously unavailable speed and bandwidth economics, and will provide rural and remote Canadians a broadband connection that is truly fast and affordable. Together with the planned launch of a second, similar 4G satellite in 2012 and with its national fixed-wireless 4G network, Xplornet will effectively end Canada's urban/rural digital-divide, once and for all.
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"We recognized that satellite broadband needed to be faster and more affordable. With this new 4G satellite service, Xplornet will offer satellite broadband service that is both" said John Maduri, Xplornet's Chief Executive Officer. ViaSat-1 will support customer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, with more capacity than all current North American broadband satellites combined. Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's leading provider of rural broadband, has purchased 100% of the Canadian Ka-band capacity on the satellite, entirely for rural broadband use. Xplornet expects the satellite service to be available to Canadians late this year.
"This is an historic launch. The technology is revolutionary. Our investment of hundreds of millions in rural broadband infrastructure is unprecedented. And Canada is now joining a group of other regions, like the UK, the US, andEurope, that have endorsed 4G satellite broadband as the solution for ensuring 100% access to affordable broadband." said Maduri.
"Most important though, is the impact this satellite is going to have on people. I am proud to say that Xplornet has done what no other Canadian company could do, and what some people said that private industry would never do: make fast, affordable broadband available everywhere in Canada. By 2012, every Canadian will be able to experience the transformative benefits of broadband." concluded Maduri.
