Intelsat today announced that PT Indosat Tbk. (Indosat) has signed a four-year, multi-transponder contract for leased capacity with Intelsat in order to support the growth of its satellite-based, cellular and other telecommunications backhaul services within Indonesia.
Indosat, which will utilize the IS-709 satellite located at 85 degrees E to provide services, will begin using the Intelsat system during the first quarter and expects to have the entire network up and running within 18 months.
“Indosat, the first GSM and IDD operator in Indonesia, is leveraging Intelsat’s capabilities in Asia to allow us to grow our network quickly and flexibly so that we can increase our business while providing reliable and cost-effective service to customers,” said Wahyu Wijayadi, Director of Indosat.
“The Intelsat fleet is reliable and we have confidence that this will enable us to continue to grow effectively, without worrying about infrastructure limitations.”
Intelsat currently supports over 50 GSM networks in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions by providing backhaul services to mobile networks through satellite.
Intelsat cellular backhaul is a network infrastructure offering for mobile operators which enhances their ability to implement new services and reach underserved areas.
Intelsat’s cellular backhaul services connect service providers’ network components, base stations to switching centers, and connect cellular networks to international networks, allowing regional service providers to expand their networks quickly domestically or internationally.
Ramu Potarazu, COO, Intelsat Ltd., stated, “There has been a significant rise in the uptake of mobile telephony in Asia, and a variety of mobile telephone operators choose Intelsat’s satellite-based cellular backhaul services to facilitate their local, regional and international growth.
“We are committed to working with in-region satellite operators like Indosat to facilitate the growth of mobile and other wireless services in areas where wireline telephony penetration is low.”
