Brazilian telecommunications company Telebras has partnered with Luxembourg-based satellite communication services company SES to expand Brazil's Electronic Government Program — Citizen Assistance Service (GESAC). The collaboration has connected over 1,500 sites, including schools, libraries, health units, indigenous villages, and rural settlements in the Northern Region, through SES's Managed Enterprise solution powered by the SES-17 Ka-band satellite.
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Telebras and SES Join Forces for Connectivity
Under the partnership, SES is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the network, including the satellite, gateways, and remote sites. The sites have been connected since April 2024 and are supported by SES's new gateway in Hortolandia, Brazil.
GESAC initiative
The GESAC initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Communications (MCom), aims to bridge the digital divide by providing internet access to vulnerable and remote communities. Since its inception in 2002, the program has established over 15,000 free internet access points, according to SES.
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"...With its Managed Enterprise solution via SES-17 satellite and the ability to reach remote areas across the entire country, we will continue to provide life-changing internet access to many," said President of Telebras.
"Through a combination of our cutting-edge ground system technology, advanced satellite capabilities, and service lifecycle expertise, our Managed Enterprise via SES-17 service provides the throughput, high performance and flexibility required to connect underserved and isolated places across Brazil and throughout the Americas region with minimal initial capital expenditures," explained Vice President of Enterprise Americas at SES. "Satellite-enabled solutions play a fundamental role in reducing the digital divide, especially for those areas and communities."
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SES-17 Satellite
SES-17 is a geostationary satellite that offers an optimised solution for accelerating digital inclusion programs across the region. It offers full coverage over Brazil and the rest of Latin America, the satellite services company noted.
