Loral Skynet has announced that it has reached an agreement with Telekom Austria that completes the full initial infrastructure rollout of its SkyReach IP-enabled communications services.
In accordance with the agreement, Loral Skynet will install an iDirect IP hub at Telekom Austria’s state-of-the-art Aflenz teleport, expanding SkyReach’s coverage area across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
SkyReach customers across the region will have access to regional and global private networking and public Internet services, including broadband WAN extension for terrestrial providers, Internet access for ISPs, voice over IP (VoIP) and managed data services.
“The now global reach of this powerful and cost-effective technology firmly establishes Loral Skynet as a leader in IP-based integrated satellite and terrestrial communications services,” said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Loral.
“Today’s satellite communications companies need to offer much more than just standard bandwidth-only services. They also must provide the latest integrated platform services to deliver complete solutions to enterprise and government customers. Since it pioneered IP services over satellite nearly 15 years ago, Loral Skynet has maintained its leadership role not just in the satellite sector, but in the entire communications industry.”
Loral Skynet’s new European-based SkyReach hub will allow for multiple points of connectivity through satellites spanning from Europe to Asia and through terrestrial facilities. Skynet will combine satellite capacity on its own Telstar 12 and Telstar 10 satellites, with other regional satellites to establish a robust, far-reaching IP-based network.
SkyReach’s service in Europe is available today using other teleport facility partnerships. Full service on Skynet’s hub at Telekom Austria’s Aflenz teleport will be available by December 2005.
SkyReach uses VSAT technology to deliver a full range of IP applications, including Internet access, Voice over IP (VoIP), streamed media, file transfers (FTP), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), LAN connectivity and satellite-enabled WiFi services. SkyReach services complement existing frame relay and MPLS networks and enable efficient network management.
Through SkyReach, and coupled with its worldwide infrastructure and installation Ground Operator (GO) partners, Loral Skynet is one of the only satellite services company in the world that can extend, install and maintain satellite-delivered IP connectivity on a truly seamless and global basis.
With its tiered SLAs (service level agreements) and quality-of-service features, SkyReach enables a natural extension of terrestrial MPLS systems and a platform for multicast and broadcast video requirements. Loral Skynet provides its SkyReach global IP service through hubs at facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, each with access to major satellite and terrestrial communications networks.
