New backhaul service moves across Germany a lot quicker than fibre
Troubled satellite operator Intelsat has won a deal to provide backhaul to parts of Germany that fibre and cable cannot reach.
Telefónica Germany is now using the Intelsat CellBackhaul managed service through Telefónica Global Solutions (TGS) to solve its immediate 4G LTE mobile coverage challenge in rural areas.
Satellite is the best way to get instant, cost effective 4G connections according to Enrique Macho, head of the TGS satellite services business unit, “this is a key project in the region for Telefonica Global Solutions.”
After Chapter 11 the story picks up speed
The satellite operator has experienced financial difficulties and in December it had a restructuring plan approved by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Richmond. The company is now expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2022, subject to regulatory approvals and conditions.
Meanwhile, the German fibre industry has sprung into action since it was liberalised by the German regulator Bundesnetzagentur in October and telos such as Deutsche Glasfaser are attracting multi-billion euro investment. However, Intelsat claims its CellBackhaul, an end-to-end managed service recently launched for Europe, will have a bigger immediate impact on 4G mobile coverage.
“Intelsat CellBackhaul, using the Intelsat Epic HTS satellites, can help mobile network operators of any size expand coverage or build resiliency into their existing networks,” said Intelsat’s Regional VP for Europe MENA, Rhys Morgan, “we look forward to helping them expand their coverage into the areas that were unreachable or unprofitable.”
Instantly solved the backhaul problem
TGS was created in October 2020, to bundle wholesale, roaming and multinational businesses as part of Telefónica’s transformation strategy.
In other satellite news, On December 19th SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the Turksat-5B communications satellite to geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite, which will be placed in the 42-degree east orbit, started its journey by completing its critical stages, according to Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu. It will settle into its orbit in June and will start its activities after a six-week test period.