Ergen links with Hispasat over Mexico
December 14, 2018
By Chris Forrester
Charlie Ergen’s DISH Network has joined Hispasat to bring a broadband-by-satellite service to Mexico.
The service, called ‘ON’ is designed to bring the Internet to areas with poor or no connectivity, promoting development and helping to bridge the digital divide in Mexico. The partnership says that thanks to its extensive coverage, high capacity and fast roll-out, satellites are the ideal technological solution to bring high-quality Internet access to places where there are no other telecommunications infrastructures.
The system will use Ka-band satellite capacity from Amazonas 5 and be managed and marketed by DISH.
The new service will be focused on the residential and corporate market, in order to extend Internet access to broader parts of the country.
Both companies made the announcement to the media during a breakfast briefing on December 13th in Mexico City, with the participation of the CEO of Dish México, José Luis Woodhouse; the Internet Division Director, Lorenzo Orozco, and ON’s Director of Wireless Internet and Marketing, Santiago Ennis. Hispasat was represented by the Business Director, Ignacio Sanchis.
Santiago Ennis, Director of Wireless Internet and Marketing at ON noted that “this agreement with Hispasat will allow DISH Mexico to expand its commercial Internet opportunities through the ON Satellite Network throughout Mexico, offering the possibility to digitally connect different sectors of the populations in remote and difficult to access areas using satellites. This service will benefit many people and companies.”
Sanchis declared that HISPASAT was proud to collaborate together with DISH to bring the Internet to the parts of Mexico without Internet connection, or with a very poor quality connection. “For us, satellites have a very important
function: they make the most cutting-edge technology available to people and open the doors to the digital world to Mexican citizens. This will allow them to benefit from the opportunities that the Information Society offers. We couldn’t imagine a better partner for this task than DISH, a highly regarded company with a strong presence throughout the country.”