Satellite operator Thaicom and satellite broadband provider WIT (We Are IT) Philippines have signed a multi-year capacity wholesale agreement aimed at providing connectivity for the rollout of nationwide enterprise and government broadband projects.
According to the terms of the agreement, WIT will use the entire IPSTAR capacity of both spot and broadcast beams for the Philippines. The agreement will also see WIT provide broadband connectivity through the IPSTAR high-throughput satellite to serve market verticals in the Philippines, including broadcasting, telecom, mobile network operators, and maritime.
Anant Kaewruamvongs, CEO of Thaicom Public Company Limited, said: “The Philippines is the perfect satellite market, due to the wide geographical and population distribution of the archipelago. IPSTAR’s high-throughput capacity is ideal to connect unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines, thus improving the lives of millions of Filipinos and accelerating the country’s economic growth.”
Joseph Maddatu, CEO, We Are IT (WIT) Philippines, said: “We will be able to roll out the network infrastructure for the country’s 3rd mobile network operator, as well as government and enterprise broadband VSAT projects faster and more cost effectively as the result of the agreement with Thaicom. Furthermore, we can support the government’s free Wi-Fi broadband initiative that brings high speed connectivity to the rural areas and more importantly, support mobile network operators with backhaul services in their effort to expand their coverage and increase data capacity to their cellular sites.”
“We take pride in our ability to drive the common goal of connecting individuals, businesses and governments across ASEAN with affordable and reliable broadband services”, said Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, CCO of Thaicom. “With WIT, the Philippines now has access to 1.5 Gbps of capacity throughout the country.”
