MADRID, Spain and SINT-NIKLAAS, Belgium — Sept. 7, 2010 — Spanish broadband specialist Quantis is bringing the full-service broadband experience to remote and rural communities across Spain, via Newtec’s satellite-based Sat3Play® technology, including hub and low-cost, easy-to-install terminals. The ¬24 million, Spanish government-sponsored programme aims to establish a chain of neighbourhood Internet access centres, known as Telecentros, in areas where broadband access cannot be provided by cable.
The development of Internet infrastructure in Spain faces the considerable challenge posed by the remote nature of many rural communities and the mountainous terrain in many parts of the country. As a result, access by traditional means is not an option for large areas, where broadband over cable is too expensive to install.
Telecentros are Spain’s answer to the problem. These local Internet centres, where free access and computer facilities are available, give rural communities a link to the information society for the first time. Spain now has 100 active Telecentros, with another 200 planned.
In Spain, the Telecentro is not just a place where local people can access the Internet — it also hosts weekly training classes led by an “animator”, who gives instruction in social networking and other Web skills.
“These Telecentros are a really exciting development for rural areas which would miss out on the Internet without them,” says Aquilino Antuña, CEO of Quantis. “It’s a very satisfying thing to be able to bring a true broadband experience to these communities, thanks to the Newtec Sat3Play technology.”
“Infrastructure projects such as the Telecentros programme are always very rewarding to be involved with,” says Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec. “Our partners at Quantis are providing a very high-quality service which will have real social and economic benefits, and will continue to deliver a full-on broadband experience into the future.”
The new low-cost, Ka-band-ready Sat3Play terminal includes Newtec’s revolutionary 4CPM modulation and coding scheme, which substantially increases the speed and bandwidth efficiency of the return link. This makes Sat3Play a perfect fit for both the consumer and enterprise market. Sat3Play can be combined with VoIP and Direct-to-Home television services, and supports a large variety of professional applications such as for the maritime, energy, transport and security markets.
More information on Newtec products is available at www.newtec.eu or by phone at +32.3.780.6500.
