Kacific Broadband Satellites

Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) is a satellite operator providing a high-speed broadband internet service for the South East Asia and Pacific Islands regions.[1] Its first Ka-band HTS satellite, Kacific1, was designed and built by Boeing and launched into geostationary orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle on 16 December 2019.[2]

History

Kacific is the brainchild of Christian Patouraux, also CEO, who founded the company in 2013. In its first months, to raise capital and develop the business plan, the company attracted Mark Rigolle and Cyril Annarella, who became co-founders.[3][4] The company is registered in Vanuatu.[5]

In December 2013, Kacific announced its intention to launch Kacific1.[6][7][8] This Ka-band high throughput satellite (HTS) placed in geostationary orbit will provide high speed internet to the Pacific region and South East Asia.[9][10]

Designed and manufactured by Boeing, the Kacific1 HTS satellite is based on the 702 satellite platform.[2][11] Kacific offers direct internet access, via wholesale channels, to government agencies, institutions, businesses, community groups and households within the satellite's total footprint area following the launch of the satellite in December 2019.[12][8]

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.[13][14] In August of the same year, Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Our Telekom) signed a ten-year agreement with Kacific to deliver high-speed broadband to the people of the Solomon Islands.[13]

In September 2014, Kacific signed a cooperation agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the development of satellite communications capacity and emergency communications solutions for the Pacific region.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17][18]

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.[19]

In February 2017, Kacific announced that The Boeing Company will design and manufacture Kacific1, its first satellite based on the 702 satellite platform.[8] Later that year, Kacific announced SpaceX as the launch provider for Kacific1, using a Falcon 9 two-stage orbit-class rocket.[20][21]

In September 2018, Kacific selected Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. to manufacture and install its teleport radio-frequency equipment.[22]

In November 2019, Kacific confirmed its agreement with global digital infrastructure provider, Tata Communications, to provide global internet and cyber security services for Kacific's Ka-band satellite network.

In December 2019, Kacific confirmed that it had secured credit facilities totaling US$160 million with a group of financial institutions including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and GuarantCo.[23]

On 16 December 2019, the company's first Ka-band HTS satellite, Kacific1, launched into geostationary orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida.[24]

Affiliations and memberships

Kacific is member of the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC),[25] Member of the Pacific Islands Telecommunication Association (PITA), a member of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF),[26] and an affiliate member of the Asia-Pacific Tele-community (APT).[27]

Awards

Cooperation of the Year Award 2022 – SIG Awards.[28]

Outstanding Satellite Operator of the Year 2022 – PTC Awards.[29]

Outstanding Support for PTC's Vision & Mission 2022 – PTC Awards.[29]

CEO of the Year for Wholesale & Capacity (Operator) 2021 – Telecom Review.[30]

Project of the Year – Satellite 2021 – Global Carrier Awards.[31]

Business as a Force for Good Award 2021 - INSEAD Alumni Association.[32]

Newcomer Satcom Operator Award 2020 - Euroconsult.[33]

Satellite Executive of the Year 2019: Christian Patouraux – Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC).[34]

Best Digital Inclusion 2019 – Pacific ICT Awards.[35]

Better Satellite World Award 2018 – Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI).[36]

Best Potential in Asia 2015 – France Singapore ICT Awards.

Coverage

The Kacific1 satellite uses spot beams to place capacity over regions within Asia Pacific.[2] Countries with areas under spot beam coverage include: American Samoa, Bhutan, Brunei, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.[37]

References
  1. Wagenen, Juliet Van. "Kacific Looks to Bring Connectivity to Remote Regions". Satellite Today. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  2. "Kacific puts in order for new Asia Pacific satellite". Radio New Zealand. 2017-02-21. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  3. "This satellite firm wants to be the 'budget airline' of the internet game in rural Indonesia". Tech in Asia. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  4. Labrador, Virgil (1 March 2011). "Ka-Band Poised to Become Major Market in the MENA Region". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016.
  5. "Companies Registry". Vanuatu Financial Services Commission. 2018-11-19.
  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. "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. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  10. Wagstaff, Jeremy (27 April 2014). "From balloons to shrimp filled shallows the future is wireless". Reuters.
  11. "Kacific-1 satellite enters initial testing stage". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  12. Jackson, Randal (27 May 2014). "Kacific looks for potential investors in NZ". Computerworld New Zealand.
  13. "Kacific inks satellite broadband agreement with Our Telekom". Solomon Star. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  14. Momoisea, Leilani (13 June 2014). "Deal to bring high speed internet to Tuvalu". Radio New Zealand International.
  15. "ITU to boost communication capacity and emergency communication solutions for small island developing states". International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Press release). Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  16. "Kiribati signs with broadband provider Kacific". Radio NZ International (Press release). Plus Media Solutions. 22 October 2014.
  17. "BigNet signs broadband deal with Kacific". Capacitymagazine.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  18. "Indonesia turns to satellite internet to fix broadband holes". TechinAsia. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  19. "Vanuatu village taking full advantage of new internet service", Radio New Zealand International, 21 July 2016
  20. "SpaceX to launch Kacific-1 satellite.", Telecompaper, 5 September 2017
  21. "SpaceX wins Kacific, Sky Perfect Jsat condosat launch, new or used rocket TBD - SpaceNews.com". SpaceNews.com. 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  22. "Kratos to build multi-site gateways for Kacific Ka-band satellite network". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  23. Henry, Caleb (6 December 2019). "Space News". Space News.
  24. Jackie Wattles. "SpaceX launches satellite that will bring internet to island nations". CNN. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  25. "Member Listing". Pacific Telecommunications Council. 2018-11-19.
  26. "Members Directory". Global VSAT Forum. 2018-11-19.
  27. "APT Affiliate Members". Asia Pacific Tele-community. 2018-11-19.
  28. "The SIG Awards | Satcoms Innovation Group". Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  29. "Pacific Telecommunications Council Announces its PTC Awards 2022 Recipients". PTC. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  30. "Telecom Review Excellence Award winners for 2021". www.telecomreview.com. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  31. "GCAs 2021 winners announced!". www.capacitymedia.com. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  32. "Announcing Winner of 'Business as a Force for Good Award – 2021' | INSEAD Alumni Association Singapore". blogs.insead.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  33. "Euroconsult gathers global satellite industry leaders at virtual event, honors outstanding achievement". Euroconsult. 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  34. "APSCC Honours Outstanding Achievements in the Asia Pacific Satellite Industry at the 16th APSCC Awards". APSCC. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  35. "Group wins Best Digital Inclusion in Pacific". Post Courier. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  36. "SSPI Names Projects of the United Nations, International University Consortium and Broadband Satellite Operator as Recipients of the 2018 Better Satellite World Awards". SSPI. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  37. "Our Company". Kacific Broadband Satellites. 2018-11-20. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20.
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