Rawafed Libya for Telecommunications & Technology Selects Eutelsat's KA-SAT to Accelerate Wireless Internet Deployment in Libya

PARIS and TRIPOLI, Libya, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Rawafed Libya for Telecommunications & Technology, a leading Internet Service Provider in Libya, has sealed a multi-year agreement with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) for capacity on the KA-SAT satellite to support IP trunking services to its new wireless broadband network in Libya.

Rawafed Libya has concluded a wholesale agreement with Eutelsat enabling it to use up to 1.6Gbit/s of capacity on two KA-SAT spotbeams that provide premium reach of Tripoli, Benghazi and surrounding regions.

Rawafed Libya's use of KA-SAT will accelerate access to wireless broadband for public agencies, enterprises and consumers in the more densely populated areas of Libya. The company is deploying local Wifi hot spots that will be fed by KA-SAT in areas where there is no terrestrial infrastructure for Internet services. KA-SAT will also provide a back-up solution in areas where infrastructure exists.

Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat, said: "This new wholesale agreement with Rawafed Libya underscores the high flexibility of the KA-SAT infrastructure. It enables our partner to design, manage and scale up its own network using our proven platform, and presents a fast route to wireless broadband for users in KA-SAT's Libyan service area. We are delighted to develop this new relationship with Rawafed Libya." 

Taha Ellafi, CEO of Rawafed Libya, said: "We analysed a number of options for connecting Wifi hot spots in the area covered by KA-SAT's spotbeams. This satellite and the flexibility of Eutelsat's commercial and operational proposals rapidly emerged as the best fit for our stringent requirements. We are now equipped with a solution that enables us to immediately accelerate wireless broadband deployment and we also have the long-term visibility we need to grow our network and continue to develop our cooperation with Eutelsat in our region."

About Eutelsat Communications (http://www.eutelsat.com)

Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 30 satellites delivering reach of  Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 31 December 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting 4,500 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets.

Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications